President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven individuals to head strategic agencies and programmes under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. These appointments were announced on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale in a state house press release.
He said that the appointments were to facilitate the needed relief to Nigerians and ensure the effectiveness of humanitarian and social development programmes.
Those appointed include the following:
(1) Dr. Badamasi Lawal is to serve as the Chief Executive Officer, National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). Dr. Lawal holds a doctorate degree in education, and he previously served as a commissioner in Katsina State.
(2) Ms. Funmilola Olotu was appointed as Programme Manager, National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office. Ms. Olotu holds a master’s degree in business administration, and she is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on state lotteries.
(3) Ms. Aishat Alubankudi is to serve as the Programme Manager, Grant for Vulnerable Groups. She holds a bachelor’s degree in community development. She has experience as a risk assessor and financial manager.
(4) Princess Aderemi Adebowale will serve as the new Programme Manager, Home Grown School Feeding. Princess Adebowale holds a doctorate degree. She is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Civic Engagement and previously served as a local government chairperson.
(5) Mr. Abdullahi Alhassan Imam is 5Programme Manager, National Cash Transfer Office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and has served as chief accountant, Northern Dairies Ltd, and as a bank manager.
(6) Mr. Ayuba Gufwan was appointed as the Executive Secretary, National Commission for People with Disabilities. Mr. Gufwan holds an LLB and is the executive director of the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, Jos.
(7) Ms. Lami Binta Adamu Bello will serve as the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Ms. Binta holds a master’s degree in public administration and has served as the Secretary-General of ALGON, and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, as well as Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
According to the statement, the President expects the new heads of these critical agencies and programmes to discharge the functions of their offices with utmost integrity and diligence so as to ensure that Nigerians, especially vulnerable groups, are the exclusive and direct beneficiaries of his administration’s reconfigured welfare programmes.
With the appointment of a new head of NSIPA particularly, it means that Halima Shehu, was suspended on January 2 over alleged financial malfeasance has now been effectively sacked. The statement is however silent on the status of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Betta Edu.