News
Tinubu names Shola Olofin, Others As Board Chairpersons, CEOs
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Hon. Shola Olofin as Chairman of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and 44 eminent Nigerians as chairpersons and Chief executive officers into various boards.
Tinubu also appointed Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as board chairman of Federal Airport Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN) and the 2023 governorship candidate of the APC in Kano State, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as the chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria (FMBN).
According to a statement by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, made available to journalists on Friday, Senator Magnus Abe was also appointed as board chairman of National Agency For Great Green Wall, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi as board chairman of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Hon. Hilliard Etta as named Chairman of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The statement read in part: “The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
“President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive”.
See full statement below:
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.
The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.
All the appointments take immediate effect:
1. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND
– Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)
2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
– Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)
3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION
– H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)
4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
– Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)
5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY
– H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)
6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL
– Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)
7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE
– Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)
8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)
– Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)
9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
– Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)
10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
– Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)
11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
– Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)
12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
– Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)
13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX
– Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)
14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
– H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)
15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION
– Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)
16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE
– Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)
17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
– Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)
18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL
– Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)
19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
– Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)
20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
– Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)
22. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE
– Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)
23. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION
– Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)
24. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI
– Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)
25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA
– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)
26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA
– Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)
27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA
– Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)
28. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI
– Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)
29. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
– Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)
30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA
– Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)
31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA
– Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)
32. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA
– Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)
33. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE
– Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)
34. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY
– Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)
35. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
– Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)
36. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
– Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)
37. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
– Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)
38. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA
– Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)
39. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)
– Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)
40. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU
– Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara
41. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
– Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)
42. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)
43. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
– Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)
44. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
– Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)
45. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)
The former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was on Thursday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations bordering on unlawful interception of communications and threats to national security.
El-Rufai, who appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, denied all five counts contained in the amended charge filed against him by the prosecution. The case was brought by counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), who informed the court that the earlier three-count charge had been replaced with an expanded five-count amended charge dated April 13.
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According to the prosecution, the amended charges include allegations that the former governor unlawfully intercepted communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without proper authorisation. He was also accused of engaging in activities involving technical systems that allegedly posed risks to public safety and national security.
El-Rufai, however, maintained his not-guilty plea when the charges were read in court.
At the proceedings, his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not oppose its substitution for the earlier filing. The court subsequently struck out the initial three-count charge and proceeded with the new counts.
A key point of contention arose when the prosecution requested that the identities of two witnesses be protected through the use of pseudonyms, citing security concerns. The defence strongly objected, arguing that such a move would undermine the defendant’s constitutional right to fair hearing and to know his accusers.
The defence also challenged the prosecution’s request for consecutive hearing dates, stating that it could limit adequate access to legal representation, especially given El-Rufai’s ongoing custody under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Additionally, the defence informed the court of a pending bail application, noting that an earlier missing affidavit had been recovered and submitted. While the prosecution did not oppose the bail request, it urged the court to dismiss a separate application filed by the defence seeking to quash the amended charge, describing it as lacking merit.
The defence further asked the court to compel the prosecution to disclose its proof of evidence to enable proper preparation for trial, but the request was also opposed.
After listening to submissions from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 18, 19, and 20 for hearing.
President Bola Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, seeking approval for a $516.3 million foreign syndicated loan to support the construction of the Sokoto–Badagry highway.
In a communication read by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, President Tinubu requested a resolution in line with Sections 16 and 21 of the Debt Management Office (Establishment) Act, 2011, to enable the Federal Government to secure the financing for Sections 1, Phase 1A, and 1B of the project. The loan facility is to be arranged through Deutsche Bank AG.
President Tinubu explained that the superhighway project is a flagship initiative under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to enhance national connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve the movement of goods across key economic corridors.
The proposed 1,000-kilometre road will link Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, connecting Illela to Badagry.
He noted that the financing arrangement will be backed by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), while the Federal Government will provide counterpart funding of over 265 billion naira for land acquisition, compensation, and related infrastructure.
According to the president, the loan is structured for nine years, including a three-year grace period, with an interest rate pegged at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange SOFR plus 5.3 per cent per annum. The Federal Executive Council has already approved the financing plan.
Following the presentation of the request at plenary, Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing it to report back within one week.
Endorsing the move, the Senate President said that it is better to borrow for projects to improve road safety and foster national integration.
Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, speaking after the meeting of the union leaders with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, today.
He hailed the FCT minister for his quick intervention.
Watch:
Angry El-Rufai Protests Move To Shield Witnesses In NSA Phone-Tapping Case
Tinubu wants Senate’s approval of $516m fresh loan for Sokoto–Badagry Highway
FCT Teachers Strike: NUT Hails Wike Over Intervention In Education Sector(Video)
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