TheNewsGuru

Tag: Appointments

  • Biden announces more top White House appointments

    Biden announces more top White House appointments

    President-elect Joe Biden has announced a raft of top White House staff positions, drawing from the senior ranks of his campaign and some of his closest confidants to fill out an increasingly diverse White House leadership team.

    Biden confirmed that former campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon will serve as a deputy chief of staff, while campaign co-chair Louisiana Representative Cedric Richmond and campaign adviser Steve Ricchetti will play senior roles in the new administration. Richmond will leave his Louisiana congressional seat to fill the White House job.

    The President-elect also announced that Mike Donilon, a long-time confidant, will serve as a senior adviser; Dana Remus, the campaign’s current general counsel, will be counsellor to the president; Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who was one of Biden’s deputy campaign managers, will serve as director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; and Annie Tomasini, who is currently Biden’s travelling chief of staff, will serve as the director of Oval Office operations.

    Anthony Bernal will serve as a senior adviser to Jill Biden, after he was her chief of staff on the campaign, and Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, a former Obama Ambassador to Uruguay, as her chief of staff.

    The new hires represent an initial wave of what will ultimately be hundreds of new White House aides hired in the coming weeks as Biden builds out an administration to execute his governing vision. The Democrat will be inaugurated January 20.

    Late last week, Biden tapped former senior campaign adviser Ron Klain to serve as his chief of staff.

    The latest round reflects Biden’s stated commitment to diversity in his staff – the team includes four people of colour and five women.

    “America faces great challenges, and they bring diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to tackling these challenges and emerging on the other side a stronger, more united nation,” Biden said in a statement.

    Yesterday, Rudy Giuliani, the lawyer picked by President Donald Trump to lead his post-election legal battles, sought court permission to appear for the Trump campaign in its lawsuit to block certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania.

    Giuliani filed an application to join the case hours before a hearing is set to start before U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The request comes a day after campaign lawyer Linda Kerns withdrew from the litigation, and days after the law firm Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP walked away from the case.

    Brann, an appointee of President Barack Obama, will hear arguments on Pennsylvania’s motion to dismiss the suit, which seeks to block the state from certifying the election result unless thousands of mail-in ballots from Democratic-leaning counties are tossed out. The campaign claims the counties improperly allowed voters to fix errors on the ballots before Nov. 3.

  • Buhari approves new appointments

    Buhari approves new appointments

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Bashir Tijjani Babajo as Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC).

    The four-year term took effect from August 1, 2020.

    The President also renewed the appointment of Philip Ashinze as Executive Director, Finance and Administration effective August 1, 2020.

    His approval was conveyed to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Muhammad Nanono,.

    The letter with reference number SH/COS/42/3/A/988 was signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari.

    Nanono told Babajo and Ashinze to ensure the continuous implementation of NAIC’s mandate in accordance with extant laws and other subsisting rules and regulations.

    He advised them to justify the confidence reposed in them by working with all stakeholders to ensure harmony in the agricultural sector.

    NAIC was established to provide agricultural risks insurance cover to Nigerian farmers.

  • Presidency reacts to report on Buhari’s reversal of appointments, 150 memos made by late Kyari

    Presidency reacts to report on Buhari’s reversal of appointments, 150 memos made by late Kyari

    THE Presidency has said that there was no iota of truth on the allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari has upturned about 150 memos and reversed some appointments made by the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.

    There were media reports recently published, which insinuated that President Buhari has canceled some of the appointments made by his former Chief of Staff, late Mallam Kyari because he (Buhari) was not consulted before such appointments and memos were issued out.

    The Presidency in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu described the report as fake news.

    The statement read, “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to media reports alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari has canceled a number of memos and appointments signed off by his former Chief of Staff.

    Not surprisingly, these reports have quoted unnamed sources. “There is not a grain of truth in these reports and Nigerians should please ignore the insinuations behind them. ” President Buhari was duly re-elected by Nigerians in February 2019. He has not and will never cede to anyone else, that power and trust are given to him by the Nigerian people.”

  • Ecobank announces new appointments

    Ecobank announces new appointments

    Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, the Lomé-based parent company of the Ecobank Group, announces two new appointments and changes on its Board of Directors.

    Dr. Georges Agyekum Nana Donkor has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director to replace Mr. Bashir Mamman Ifo as the representative of Ecowas Bank for Investment & Development (EBID) on the Board of ETI.

    Donkor was recently appointed President of EBID following the retirement of his predecessor Mr. Bashir Ifo. Dr. Donkor is a Lawyer, Banker and Marketing Consultant with over twenty-five years’ experience in Senior Management capacities across several fields such as Finance, Strategic Management, Marketing, Legal, Compliance and Administration.

    A statement issued by Adenike Laoye, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, on Wednesday said the Board also announced the appointment of Mrs. Zanele Monnakgotla as a Non-Executive Director and nominee of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) of South Africa on the Board. Mrs. Monnakgotla has over 20 years’ public and private sector experience in Structured Finance and Strategy. She is replacing Dr. Daniel Matjila who resigned from the ETI Board when he left his role as Chief Executive Officer of PIC.

    Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, Chairman of the Board of ETI, commenting on the changes said: “We must first of all, sincerely express our appreciation to Mr. Ifo and Dr. Matjila for their contributions on the Board and their tireless dedication to the Ecobank Group.

    “We know that they will always remain members of the Ecobank family. As we formally bid them farewell, I do warmly welcome, both Dr. Donkor and Mrs. Monnakgotla and believe that their respective expertise would be most beneficial to the Board.”

  • Bayelsa Governor Diri makes first appointments

    Bayelsa Governor Diri makes first appointments

    Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, on Thursday, approved the appointment of four principal officers for his administration.

    His Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, who disclosed this in a press statement, said the new appointees include: a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson, who will serve as Secretary to the State Government; Chief Benson Agadaga, as Chief of Staff; Peter Pereotubo Akpe as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo as Principal Secretary.

    The appointments are with immediate effect.

  • Uzodinma makes first appointments as Imo Governor

    Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo has made several key appointments as his new administration settles down to work, naming the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Attorney, General, Chief of Staff and Chief press Secretary.

    Chief Cosmas Iwu was appointed as the SSG while Barrister COC Akaolisa steps in as the Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, designate

    Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie was appointed Chief of Staff and Oguike Nwachukwu the Chief Press Secretary, CPS.

    Uzodinma was sworn in on Wednesday night, about 24 hours after the Supreme Court declared him the winner of the 9 March election and sacked Emeka Ihedioha, in a stunning verdict.

  • UBA plc announces four top appointments

    UBA plc announces four top appointments

    United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), on Monday, announced that Oliver Alawuba has been appointed as CEO of UBA Africa, overseeing the bank’s 20 African country operations, ex-Nigeria. He succeeds Victor Osadolor, who retires from the Group Board, after nine years of service working at UBA.

    UBA Africa serves over 19 million customers across the African continent, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge products including the first ever banking chat bot in Africa, LEO.

    Alawuba has close to three decades of banking industry experience.

    He was once the CEO of UBA Ghana and rose to become Regional CEO, UBA Africa before returning to Nigeria to run UBA’s East Bank.
    Under his leadership, UBA’s Nigerian East Bank division became the fastest growing regional bank in the Group.

    The Board further appointed Senegalese national, Abdoul-Aziz Dia as Executive Director for Treasury and International Banking, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Dia becomes the first non-Nigerian Group Executive Director of the Bank, bringing a wealth of multi geographical experience to the Group.

    He will be responsible for UBA’s global network of operations in New York, London and Paris, together with Group Treasury, where UBA offers a sophisticated suite of products to multinationals, international institutions and African clients.

    Chukwuma Nweke, currently the Executive Director Operations, was confirmed by the Board as the Group Executive Director, Retail and Payments, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to its retail offering. Chuks has close to three decades of banking experience spanning Banking Operations, Finance, Technology, Audit and Strategy.

    The Board also announced the appointment of Chiugo Ndubisi as Group Executive Director and the Group Chief Operating Officer, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
    Chiugo is a professional with almost three decades of banking experience that includes the role of Chief Finance Officer(CFO) and Executive Director on the board of a financial institution. His in-depth understanding of banking and finance industry dynamics will bring a lot of value to the Group Board of UBA.

    Group Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, said “These appointments emphasise the Group’s commitment to our pan-African and global network, our huge retail client base and our operational infrastructure. We are focused on improving our efficiency and further strengthening our pan-African mission, using the extraordinary pool of talent and experience available in the Group.”

    Elumelu thanked both the outgoing Deputy Managing Director/CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Victor Osadolor, and the former Regional CEO for UBA in East and Southern Africa, Emeke Iweriebor, who just retired from the board, for their contributions to the Bank. “Victor and Emeke were key players during the merger of Standard Trust Bank and UBA and have been valuable contributors to the growth of the Bank. We wish them well”.

    The Board appointments underline UBA’s broader commitment to investing in the highest quality human capital. The Bank recently reformed its grade structure and technology teams, having reduced its grade structure from 16 to 12 levels, at the end of 2019. The Bank welcomed 3,000 new staff members in 2019 and promoted over 5,000 employees. UBA is the largest employer in the Nigerian banking sector, with a staff strength of close to 20,000 employees group wide.

  • BREAKING: Buhari makes 11 more appointments

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of eleven personal staff.
    Most of those who made it to the President’s latest list were those who had served in his first term.
    Below is the full list of the President’s latest appoint.
    1. Mohammed Sarki Abba – Senior Special Assistant to the President (Household and Social Events)
    2. Ya’u Shehu Darazo – Senior Special Assistant to the President (Special Duties)
    3. Dr Suhayb Sanusi Rafindadi – Personal Physician to the President
    4. Amb. Lawal A. Kazaure – State Chief of Protocol
    5. Sabiu Yusuf – Special Assistant (Office of the President)
    6. Saley Yuguda – Special Assistant (House Keeping)
    7. Ahmed Muhammed Mayo – Special Assistant (Finance & Administration)
    8. Mohammed Hamisu Sani – Special Assistant (Special Duties)
    9. Friday Bethel – Personal Assistant (General Duties)
    10. Sunday Aghaeze – Personal Assistant (State Photographer)
    11. Bayo Omoboriowo – Personal Assistant (Presidential Photographer)
    According to the President, the above appointments take effect from May 29, 2019.

  • Special Report: Activities slow down in ministries as Buhari delays ministerial appointments

    Special Report: Activities slow down in ministries as Buhari delays ministerial appointments

    By Ike Jonas

    Daily activities of government officials at the Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs have slowed down due to the unnecessary delay by President Muhammadu Buhari in forwarding names of his ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation weeks after assuming office for his second term.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in late May 2019 after the conclusion of the 2019 general elections in which he was declared a winner by INEC asked Ministers and other top officials of government to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective MDAs.

    In compliance to this directive Ministers and chairmen of the board of government agencies and parastatals prepared their hand over notes and handed over to the Permanent Secretaries in these MDAs before May 29 2019 on which date the four-year tenure Buhari was elected ended.

    The Newsguru.Com TNG can authoritatively report that there are no activities in most government departments both in the areas of administration, finances and secretarial duties that is receiving the attention of civil servants at these MDAs presently.

    Daily check on activities of workers on these government departments shows absolute lack of continuity in government business as civil servants from the rank of Director to the lowest cadre who mostly are cleaners roam around these offices without supervision or any form of control.

    From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to that of Sports and Social Development, Women Affairs, Finance, Education and Health ministries, it is the same tale of lack of continuity of government business.

    And the question is who is to be blamed for this state of affairs? Is it the President whose responsibility it is to appoint Ministers in MDAs? Is it the Permanent Secretaries who are the accounting officers of these government departments or the Directors of various units in these MDAs? Who is to be blamed? These posers remain unanswered.

    If we absolve the Commander-in-Chief C in-C of the blames, should we absolve the Permanent Secretaries also? Are they no longer accountable to the nation’s chief executive? Are permanence and continuity no longer the hallmark of the civil service?

    For me, the Permanent Secretaries should take a huge chunk of the blame. The President also not be absolved totally for not providing the needed leadership at these MDAs for the time being. As the head of the Executive branch of government.

    Buhari ought to have directed the ministries and agencies to open up their activities for public scrutiny in view of the absence of substantive Ministers supervising and controlling these MDAs before now.

    He needs to ensure that fund allocated in those government departments in the annual budgets are properly channeled to where they were allocated before the exit of the Ministers.

    At the Ministry of Education, activities are almost grounded as TNG findings show that no meeting has been held in the ministry for the past one month. There has not also been any media briefing or any formal engagement with a third party outside the ministry workers.

    This situation which is akin to redundancy in the formal sector is the case in other MDAs notably the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Labour and Productivity, and Women Affairs.

    At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, only one press briefing has been held in the past month. That was the briefing of the Nigeria Ambassador to France Dr.Modupe Irele on the Nigeria-France Investment Forum held in Abuja recently.

    A cross section of the junior staff of these MDAs who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity seriously blamed President Muhammad Buhari’s delay in appointing ministers for the ugly development.

    At the Education ministry, two security men who also spoke with this reporter lamented that salaries of security men who stake their lives on day and night duties are not being paid on time.

    The Newsguru.Com recalls that it took six months before President Muhammadu Buhari appointment and inaugurated the last set of Ministers and other cabinet members in 2015 after he was sworn in as President of Nigeria.

    At the time, was criticised for taking so long to name his ministers at a time when the economy was severely hit by the fall in global oil prices, which ultimately contributed to the recession that hit the nation shortly after he took over the mantle of leadership.

    The country was believed to be directionless during the period the country operated without a Federal Executive Council in place.

  • Imo Assembly mandates Ihedioha to probe Okorocha, reverses appointments

    Imo Assembly mandates Ihedioha to probe Okorocha, reverses appointments

    The Imo House of Assembly has passed a resolution mandating the State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, to set up a panel of inquiry to probe the activities of his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha while in office.

    The House during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Chinedu Offor, also sacked the 27 elected Chairmen in the Local Government Areas, as well as their Councillors.

    The sacked Chairmen were directed to hand over to the Directors of Administration in each Council Area with immediate effect.

    The House also cancelled all appointments made by the former governor into Noards, Agencies and inter-ministerial Departments in the twilight of his administration, adding that such appointments were hurriedly done to put landmines on the path of the new administration.

    In a motion sponsored by the member representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency, Mike Iheanetu, the lawmakers also asked for a review of all land allocations, land transactions as well as take inventory of all government assets, property and determine all governments assets looted and infrastructures vandalised by officials of the former administration.

    The House also resolved to suspend the establishment of all tertiary institutions, as well as review all ownership structure and allocation of funds for their construction.

    Among the resolutions passed by the House at the plenary were reviews of projects undertaken by the former administration, assess ongoing projects, incurred, debts, value and determine which of them to be terminated, reviewed or continue.

    The panel to be constituted, according to the house, will review all debts and financial obligations, determine whether they were duly incurred and whether recoveries could be made using relevant agencies.

    The Lawmakers also resolved to invite anti-graft agencies where criminal infractions are involved or determined.

    Also in the motion to suspend the Local Government Chairmen and their councillors, sponsored by member representing Ezinihitte state constituency, Mr. Bruno Ukoha, the lawmakers expressed regret the Chairmen neglected them by failing to appear when they were summoned by the House.

    The House resolved that the Chairmen and the councillors should be suspended indefinitely while investigations into the activities of the local government areas were carried out.

    The House said that the action of the house was necessitated by the fact that a lot of illegalities took place at the twilight of the immediate past administration all with a view to setting up a booby trap for the new administration.

    The Speaker urged the governor to adhere strictly to the resolution.