NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

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Dr Maryam Abdu, an academician and researcher

CEPROD appoints Abdu, Emem-Newsong to its governing council

By Lucy Ogalue

The Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd), says Dr Maryam Abdu and Oluwapelumi Abiola Emem-Newsong has been appointed as members of its Governing Council.

The CeProd’s Director-General, Dr Chris Egbu, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to Egbu, their appointment marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s commitment to excellence and productivity enhancement.

“With their qualifications and track records, they are poised to make a lasting impact on our strategic initiatives.

“This will further solidify our position as a leading force in productivity, efficiency, and performance improvement,” Egbu said.

According to the statement, Abdu is an academician and researcher and holds the position of Associate Professor at the Kaduna State University’s Faculty of Management Sciences.

“With an impressive business administration, management, and economics background, she is renowned for her significant contributions to academia.”

She currently serves as the Vice-President of the Academy of Management Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Mrs Emem-Newsong is a highly accomplished corporate solicitor and legal consultant with more than 16 years of experience in the business and social enterprise sectors.

She is the principal partner of Rea Law Firm (Rea Corporate Consultants), a legal and business advisory firm in Lagos.

She had provided legal counsel to numerous start-ups, SMEs, NGOs, and corporate bodies.

“Her expertise in corporate governance and operations, coupled with her diverse legal background, has made her a sought-after professional.

“Her credentials include being a certified ADR registrar, a member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, and a member of the Panel of Neutrals at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre.

“Her leadership skills, policy-making acumen, and resource development expertise will contribute to the success and growth of CeProd,” it said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

President Bola Tinubu

Federal Civil Service Commission gets new leadership

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new leadership for the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

The team is subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja, said that Prof. Tunji Olaopa would chair the leadership.

He named the members to include Mr Daudu Jalo, representing Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States and Ms Gekpe Grace Isu, member representing Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Others are Dr Chamberlain Nwele  representing Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu Sates, while Mr Rufus Godwins will represent Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States.

Dr Adamu Husseini will represent Niger and FCT, Mr Aminu Nabegu, Jigawa and Kano States, while Ms Hindatu Abdullahi will represent Kaduna and Katsina States.

Others include Mr Shehu Aliyu, member representing Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, while Ms Odekunle Aduke will represent Kogi and Kwara States.

Mr Jide Jimoh is appointed to represent Lagos and Ogun States while Dr. Festus Oyebade will represent Osun and Oyo.

“Upon confirmation, the new FCSC leadership is expected to commence work with effect from Nov. 30, 2023 as the tenure of the current leadership Chairman and membership expires Nov. 29.

“The President anticipates that the new FCSC leadership will competently facilitate the transformation, reorientation and digitisation of the federal bureaucracy.

“This will enable, and not stifle, growth and enhanced private sector participation in the development of the Nigerian economy, in full adherence to the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Ephraims Sheyin

Tinubu appoints Mustapha CEO, Energy Commission of Nigeria

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu on Monday appointed Dr Abdullahi Mustapha as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

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

According  to Ngelale, President Tinubu expects the new ECN Chief Executive to make a positive impact on his administration’s intensive push to diversify the nation’s energy sources in a synergised fashion across the government towards the ultimate aim of industrialising every part of the country with every citizen emancipated from the shackles of energy poverty.

Until his appointment, Mustapha served in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with significant experience in the Energy and Space Technology sectors.

He most recently obtained his Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Renewable Energy, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship as a Research Associate in the School of Engineering at the prestigious University of Manchester. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

Tallen hails appointment of Nigerian Woman as health minister in Canada

By Justina Auta

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has congratulated a Nigerian woman, Uzoma Asagwara on her emergence as the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier of Canada’s Manitoba Province.

The former minister made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, describing Asagwara as the epitome of a Nigerian woman, who has done the womenfolk and Nigeria proud abroad.

Tallen lauded Asagwara for her rare feat, saying her achievements underscored the fact that, if given the opportunity, the typical Nigerian woman could rise to any position, including becoming Nigeria’s President in future.

She said: “I wish to congratulate you on the attainment of this rare feat of becoming the Health Minister and Deputy Premier of Canada’s Manitoba Province at the young age of 39.

“Indeed your success story has further reinforced the fact that the Nigerian woman is hardworking, resourceful, diligent, capable, able and can be entrusted with any position, including Governor and President of Nigeria in future.

“I urge you to continue to do the Nigerian women proud abroad, fly the national flag higher. I also call on our young women to borrow a leaf from your achievements by following in your worthy footprints.”

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, when her parents from the Igbo ethnic group of Abia, South-Eastern Nigeria, migrated there in the late 1970s, Asagwara was earlier elected to represent the Canadian Union Station in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2019.

By winning a seat in the Manitoba Assembly and also becoming the first black queer legislator, she succeeded in breaking a 150-year jinx to achieve such a feat.

Asagwara’s duties as the new health minister, will intersect with bioeconomy in different ways and she will be expected to drive innovation and health advancements within the biosciences.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian-Canadian psychiatric nurse, whose career spans over a decade in the country’s health sector, has also played basketball actively in Canada.

In 2008, she bagged a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing and also completed a joint programme between the University of Winnipeg and the University in Brandon, both in Manitoba.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Mr Urum Eke, newly appointed Chairman, Institute of Directors Centre for Corporate Governance (IoDCCG)

Eke emerges chairman IoDCCG

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Institute of Directors Centre for Corporate Governance (IoDCCG) has appointed Mr Urum Eke as its Chairman of the Board of Governors.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Nerus Ekezie, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the centre, on Thursday in Lagos.

The statement said Eke’s appointment followed the retirement of Alhaji Shuaibu Idris, who served for the past two years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IoDCCG is a collaborative project of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The statement explained that the new chairman would steer the ship of the leading corporate governance centre and take charge of its affairs for the next two years.

It said Eke’s emergence was poised to help the centre build on the cherished legacies of the founding fathers and to consolidate on the gains of previous years to reposition the Centre as a key governance watchdog in Nigeria.

It described Eke as a renowned professional and astute boardroom executive with over four decades of experience in financial services, banking, strategy, auditing, consulting, taxation, process re-engineering, and capital market operations.

The statement noted that Eke worked at FBN Holdings Plc and its subsidiaries for more than 10 years where he held strategic and leadership positions.

“In 2017, he was appointed to the board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Sovereign Wealth Fund) and served until 2021.

“Currently, he is the Executive Chairman of FAIRCHILD GROUP comprising Fairchild Capital Ltd., Fairchild Base Investment Ltd., Fairchild Laboratories Ltd., Fairchild Ventures Ltd., and Hudiya + Esther Consulting Services.

“Eke makes a contribution to societal development through philanthropist and mentoring gestures.

“In recognition of his many contributions to the development of our world, he was awarded the covetous Zik Prize in Professional Leadership (2021) and Nigeria’s National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.

“The centre will no doubt gain immensely from his expertise, vast professional knowledge, wealth of experiences and valuable contacts,” it said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

President Bola Tinubu

Tinubu appoints Aminu new PTDF head

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ahmed Aminu as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for a four years term in the first instance.

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The new PTDF Executive Secretary/CEO has most recently served as the General Manager of the Education and Training Department of the Fund.

His appointment follows the application for retirement submitted by the outgoing Executive Secretary/CEO, Bello Gusau, to proceed on 90-day pre-retirement leave, beginning on Sept. 26.

The president has directed the PTDF new boss to serve in acting capacity until he commences his fresh term of four years in office, beginning on Dec. 26. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Tinubu’s appointment of Muri-Okunola as Principal Secretary well-deserved — UK firm

 

By Abigael Joshua

The United Kingdom based leadership development organisation, TEXEM UK has described the appointment of Mr Hakeem Muri- Okunola, the Principal Secretary to President Tinubu as well deserved.

 

According to a statement on TEXEM’s website signed by Caroline Lucas, Director, Special Projects, Muri- Okunola is an alumnus of TEXEM having participated in its programme.

 

The programme was titled “Developing Efficient and Effective Leaders for Success in an era of slow growth and low-performance,” and was held on June 19 to June 20, 2019.

 

Lucas said that in the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian politics and public administration, it is with great pleasure and optimism that TEXEM congratulates Muri- Okunola.

 

“This is a remarkable testament to the unwavering commitment and exemplary service that Mr Muri-Okunola has consistently demonstrated throughout his illustrious career.

 

“Mr Muri-Okunola’s journey to this prestigious position has been one marked by dedication, competence, and a deep-rooted commitment to public service.

 

“His educational background, which includes a first degree in law from Lagos State University and a Master’s degree in International Business Law from Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, laid the foundation for a career that would see him rise to the highest echelons of the public service,” she said.

 

Lucas said that one of the most impressive facets of Muri- Okunola’s career is his extensive experience, spanning over 25 years, in the fields of law and public administration.

 

She said his early career saw him as an Associate Solicitor at Adepetun, Caxton-Martins and Agbor, a testament to his legal prowess.

 

However, Lucas asserted that it was in the realm of public service that Muri- Okunola truly made his mark.

 

“Notably, Mr. Muri-Okunola served as the Personal Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as the Governor of Lagos State.

 

“This position placed him at the heart of governance and gave him firsthand experience in the complexities of public administration.

 

“His contributions during this period undoubtedly contributed to the successes achieved by the Lagos State government,” she said.

 

Lucas said that subsequently, Muri- Okunola went on to become the Head of Civil Service of Lagos State, where he further showcased his remarkable administrative skills.

 

She said his tenure was marked by a commitment to excellence and a focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service, which plays a vital role in delivering essential services to the people of Lagos State.

 

“Now, as he steps into the role of Principal Confidential Secretary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hakeem Muri- Okunola brings with him a wealth of experience and an astute understanding of the inner workings of government.

 

“His appointment is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the belief that the best leaders are those who have honed their skills through years of dedicated service.

 

“Mr Muri-Okunola is not just a seasoned public administrator but also the first son of the respected late jurist, Justice Muritala Okunola,” Lucas said.

 

She said that he carries the legacy of his father’s commitment to justice and the rule of law, adding that Nigerians can expect that he will continue to uphold these values in his new role.

 

TEXEM’s founder, Dr Alim Abubakre also praised the appointment of Muri- Okunola by the president.

 

“At TEXEM UK, an organisation committed to developing efficient and effective leaders for success in an era of volatility and constant change, we take immense pride in acknowledging Hakeem Muri -Okunola’s achievements.

 

“His journey from our programme, “Developing Efficient & Effective Leaders for Success in an era of slow growth and low-performance,” held on June 19-20, 2019, is a testament to the impact of leadership development initiatives.

 

“Hakeem Muri -Okunola’s appointment as the Principal Confidential Secretary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service,” Abubakre said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

TEXEM UK lauds Tinubu’s appointment of Adedeji as FIRS boss

 

By Abigael Joshua

TEXEM UK, a leadership development organization has praised the appointment of Zacch Adedeji as Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by President Tinubu describing it as a trailblazing step in revenue transformation.

In a statement on TEXEM’s website signed by Caroline Lucas, Director Special Projects, Adedeji was described as a visionary leader who pursues excellence always.

Lucas said the prestigious appointment follows closely on the heels of Adedeji’s appointment as Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Revenue Matters, adding that it is a testament to his remarkable journey in revenue transformation.

She said Adedeji’s ascent to the pivotal position is not a coincidence but the culmination of years of dedication, innovation, and strategic thinking.

“His story is one that inspires and showcases the incredible possibilities that arise from unwavering commitment to excellence,” Lucas said.

She recalled that in 2011, Adedeji etched his name into the annals of history by becoming the youngest ever Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State.

Lucas added that during his tenure, he displayed a remarkable knack for introducing groundbreaking reforms that elevated Oyo State’s internally generated revenue to unprecedented heights.

“Through the implementation of best financial practices and plugging financial leakages, Adedeji showcased his unparalleled ability to innovate and generate revenue, a skill set that would prove invaluable in his future endeavors.

“TEXEM UK takes pride in having contributed to Adedeji’s journey of excellence.

“In 2015, he participated in our prestigious “Leaders in Oil and Gas programme” in London, UK,” she said.

Lucas said his participation in TEXEM’s programme allowed Adedeji to broaden his strategic outlook and gain valuable insights from global industry leaders.

She affirmed that his commitment to personal growth and professional development has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in his outstanding achievements.

 

“Following his triumph in Oyo State, Adedeji was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council in March 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“For over two years, he worked tirelessly toward Nigeria’s ambitious goal of achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production through the faithful implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan.

“Adedeji’s dedication and strategic acumen propelled Nigeria closer to this vital objective, underscoring his capability as a transformative leader,” Lucas said.

She said Adedeji is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Lucas said that with all the qualifications, Adedeji possesses a formidable wealth of knowledge and expertise in the financial sector.

“His deep understanding of finance and taxation is an invaluable asset that will undoubtedly drive revenue growth and economic stability under his guidance at FIRS.

“One of the most striking aspects of Adedeji’s leadership is his versatility and ability to transform revenue challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

“His strategic outlook, combined with an unwavering commitment to excellence, distinguishes him as a transformative leader capable of driving financial change and shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape,” she said.

TEXEM UK’s founder, British Nigerian, Dr Alim Abubakre also commended Adedeji saying his appointment is well-deserved.

“His remarkable journey from a state Commissioner to a Presidential Special Adviser serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders across Nigeria.

“Adedeji’s accomplishments demonstrate the incredible possibilities that arise from passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

“As Zacch Adedeji takes the helm at FIRS, TEXEM UK extends its best wishes, and hopes for a tenure marked by groundbreaking achievements, sustainable revenue growth, and a prosperous future for Nigeria,” Abubakre said.

He said TEXEM proudly stands behind Adedeji as he continues to drive Nigeria’s revenue transformation with his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President approves appointment of Aliyu Ahmed as CEO of refugees commission

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed as the new Federal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

A statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja said the appointment takes immediate effect.

Ahmed holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Sociology and has previously served the Nasarawa State Government as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He was also the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and as the Commissioner of Education in the state.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

President Tinubu appoints Adedeji as acting FIRS boss

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hon. Zacch Adedeji as the new acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja.

The president has directed the erstwhile FIRS Chairman, Mr Muhammad Nami, to proceed on a three-month pre-retirement leave with immediate effect.

This is in accordance with the provision of the Public Service Rule (PSR) 120243, which will lead to Nami’s eventual retirement from service on Dec. 8.

He said: ‘’Adedeji is hereby appointed in acting capacity for a 90-day period before his subsequent confirmation as the substantive Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service for a term of four (4) years in the first instance.

‘’Adedeji is a first-class graduate in accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University.

‘’He most recently served the nation as the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, following meritorious service terms as the Oyo State Commissioner of Finance and as the Executive Secretary / CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new appointment takes immediate effect.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani