How FG Somersaults In Appointments, Drops Nominee, Says No Vacancy, Replaces Another

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejiged his list of nominees for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board, replacing the initial chairman, Hon. Emeka Atuma, with Dr Emeka Nworgu.

The President has replaced all the three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, presidential adviser on information and strategy.

Further, the President also removed one of the board members,  Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa.

However, Hon. Mark C. Okoye retains his position as the Commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer on the 16-member board, one more member than the initial board.

The new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony Ugbo in the first list.

Toby Okechukwu is the new executive director of projects, replacing Obinna Obiekweihe. Chief Sylvester Okonkwo is now the executive director of corporate services, replacing Dr Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja.

The two nominated executive directors without a portfolio are Chidi Echeazu and Dr Clifford Ogbede.

The President retained Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo. 

The other nominees retained are Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma

While all the nominations are subject to Senate confirmation, the President expects the new nominees, as pioneers, to use their wealth of experience and expertise to actualise the Commission’s mandate and develop the South East region.

In another earlier announcement about the appointment of Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI), the president declared it cancelled, saying “there is no vacancy in the agency.” 

He approved the renewal of the appointment of Fatima  Umaru Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary Of the  Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI).