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TINUBU ADMINISTRATION SET TO ANNOUNCE NEW AMBASSADORS “VERY SOON”

The federal government has commenced the vetting of potential candidates to replace the ambassadors recalled by President Bola Tinubu in September 2023. According to sources familiar with the development, background checks are being conducted on possible appointees, with information shared with relevant agencies within the presidency and legislature. A government source revealed that the issue of funding, which was blamed for the delay in appointing ambassadors, “is being resolved” and “that means the appointments will be announced very soon”. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had earlier attributed the delay to a lack of funds. However, the federal government has budgeted N302.4 billion for its foreign missions in 2025. The recall of ambassadors in 2023 created a void in diplomatic leadership at various foreign missions, prompting concern from foreign officials and stakeholders. Despite receiving multiple letters of credence from other foreign ambassadors posted to Nigeria, the president has yet to announce the successors of the recalled ambassadors.

PRESIDENT TINUBU SUBMITS KEY APPOINTMENTS FOR SENATE CONFIRMATION

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Senate to approve key appointments across critical institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In three separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu outlined his nominations, urging the Senate to expedite their confirmation in line with constitutional and statutory provisions. The President submitted four nominees for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in INEC. The nominees are Umar Yusuf Garba for Kano, Saad Umar for Bauchi, Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako for Anambra, and Mohammad I. Ngoshe for Borno. President Tinubu expressed confidence in the Senate’s swift confirmation process, noting that the request supersedes an earlier correspondence. In another letter, President Tinubu nominated Mr. Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi for confirmation as Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in line with Section 3(1)(b) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019. Additionally, the President sought the Senate’s approval for the appointment of Prof. Melvin D. Ayogu as a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to complete the statutory composition of the CBN Board, as required by Section 6 of the CBN Act, 2007. President Tinubu emphasized the critical roles of these nominees in strengthening governance, electoral integrity, financial oversight, and correctional administration, urging the Senate to consider and confirm the appointments promptly. “I have confidence in the Senate’s swift confirmation process,” he said. The Senate is expected to review the nominations and conduct screening sessions before making final confirmation decisions.

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS SIX CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTORS FOR FEDERAL HOSPITALS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed six Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for federal government-owned hospitals across the country. The appointments are part of the president’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure access to quality medical services for all Nigerians. In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the names of the newly appointed CMDs and their respective hospitals. The appointees include Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo, who will head the Federal Teaching Hospital in Akure, Ondo State; Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi, who has been reappointed as the CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe; and Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum, who has been confirmed as the substantive CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital in Azare, Bauchi State. Onanuga also mentioned that Dr. Ikrama Hassan has been appointed as the CMD of the newly upgraded Federal Teaching Hospital in Lafiya, Nasarawa State; Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat will head the newly established National Orthopedic Hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State; and Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu will lead the newly established Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. All appointments are for a four-year term, effective from the respective dates of assumption of office. President Tinubu congratulated the newly appointed and reappointed CMDs, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and service delivery in their respective roles. “He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring all Nigerians have access to quality medical services,” Onanuga said. Bayo Onanuga further stated that Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi’s second and final term as CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe commenced on September 5, 2024, while Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum’s tenure as CMD of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Azare, Bauchi State, took effect from December 6, 2024.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW APPOINTMENT STRUCTURE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

The Federal Government has introduced a new appointment structure for local government administration under the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), aimed at ensuring uniformity and financial accountability. According to official sources, the new framework will see eight to nine officials receiving direct salaries from Abuja. Each local government will have a Chairman and Deputy Chairman, alongside key appointments covering various sectors, including health, agriculture, education, and security. The designated positions also include a Secretary, Supervisory Councillors for different sectors, and Statutory Advisers for People with Disability, Youth Development, and Community Work. The salaries of these appointees will be paid directly from Abuja under the FAAC system, ensuring financial accountability and transparency in local government administration. This move is expected to strengthen the local government system and promote effective service delivery at the grassroots level. The new appointment structure is seen as a significant step towards revitalizing the local government system, which has faced challenges such as poor financing, limited autonomy, and lack of accountability. Experts have emphasized the need for a more decentralized system, where local governments have more control over their finances and decision-making processes.

CONCERNED CITIZENS PETITION PRESIDENT TINUBU OVER ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL APPOINTMENT

A coalition of civil society organizations has expressed dissatisfaction with the process of appointing a new Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) and has petitioned President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene. In a press conference, the group’s coordinator, Fateman Emmanuel, stated that the appointment process has been marred by irregularities, fraud, favoritism, and undue influence. “The examination process was not fair and transparent at all, as the best candidates had not been invited to the next stage, and proper vetting of the candidates by the appropriate agencies were not done,” Emmanuel said. The group is recommending that the President cancel the entire appointment process and issue a directive to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to halt the process until a more transparent and credible process is used. They also expressed concern that the appointment process has been hijacked by members of the opposition parties, which may be detrimental to the President’s political chances in 2027. In a statement, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, had assured that the appointment will adhere to a structured, transparent, and merit-driven process. However, the group remains skeptical about the transparency of the process. The petitioners praised President Tinubu’s governance style, saying he has raised the bar of governance high in the presidency of Nigeria. They commended his competence, credibility, transparency, and integrity, especially in the area of appointment of political and administrative offices.

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS ABBA ALIYU AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the substantive Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The appointment, which takes effect from January 23, 2025, is for an initial term of four years. Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, noted that Aliyu has been acting as the agency’s managing director since March 2024. Onanuga stated that Aliyu brings over 20 years of experience in energy and organizational development in the private and public sectors to his new role. Aliyu has played key leadership roles in the on-grid and off-grid power sectors, as well as the water resources and transportation sectors of Nigeria’s economy. Previously, Aliyu served as head of the Project Management Unit at the Nigeria Electrification Project; General Manager of Corporate Services, Projects, and Research, and Deputy General Manager at Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET). Onanuga added that President Tinubu anticipates that Aliyu will leverage his extensive expertise to further the REA’s mission of providing rural communities with reliable electric power and contributing to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on sustainable energy and power. Onanuga concluded by stating that the appointment is a significant step towards achieving the administration’s goals in the energy sector.