Tinubu Renews Fatima Shinkafi’s Appointment as SMDF/PAGMI Executive Secretary

•Appoints new CEOs for NUC, NERDC, NEPAD

•Writes Senate, seeks appointment approval for chairmen, board members for NWDC, SEDC

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has 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).

The President also approved the appointment of Chief Executive Officers for the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).

Shinkafi was first appointed to the job by President Muhammadu Buhari and is one of the driving forces of the changes in the solid mineral sector.

In a statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President named Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, a visiting professor at the NUC, as the agency’s Executive Secretary.

Ribadu is an expert in veterinary reproduction and has served as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, and the Sule Lamido University, Jigawa State.

Tinubu also appointed Prof. Salisu Shehu as Executive Secretary of the NERDC.

Shehu, a renowned academic in educational and human Psychology, was instrumental in establishing the School of Continuing Education at Bayero University, Kano, and was the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University, Kano.

The President also announced Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri’s appointment as the National Coordinator of NEPAD.

Tsauri, who holds a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, is a seasoned administrator with expertise in legislative affairs, global affairs, and democratic governance and vast experience in public service.

Tinubu believed the appointees’ experience and track record would bring a new sense of commitment, progress, and positive outcomes to fulfill Nigerians’ expectations of their respective organisations.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has forwarded to the Senate for confirmation a modified list of members of the inaugural Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) while also nominating  Hon. Emeka Atuma as chairman of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

In a list of nominees sent to the Senate late in September 2024, President Tinubu nominated Ambassador Haruna Ginsau as chairman of the NWDC board while also naming  Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura and Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman as members.

According to a release issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Onanuga, the new list replaced the former appointees with  Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi, while the new chairman is Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi.

Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji retains his position as managing director and chief executive officer.

Other board members featured on the first list are Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe, Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi, and Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali and Aminu Suleiman.

After receiving the President’s first list of nominations, the Senate adjusted the NWDC’s establishment act to accommodate members from other geo-political zones.

President Tinubu complied with the adjustment in the new list, with the following named to represent the six zones:

They are Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasaniyu and Macdonalds Michael Uyi. Others are Yemi Ola and Hon. Babatunde Dada.

The President has equally appointed Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman and Hon. Mark C. Okoye as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), subject to their confirmation by the Senate.

The Board members are Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Hon. Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, Dr Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo.

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

Prince Obinna Obiekweihe, Executive Director (Projects); Senator Anthony O. Agbo, Executive Director, Finance and Administration; and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja, Executive Director (Corporate Services), were also nominated.

President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to regional development and expects the new nominees, as pioneers, to utilise their wealth of experience and expertise to actualise the mandates of the two  Commissions and develop their regions.