By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven persons to head strategic agencies and programmes under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
A statement issued by the presidency on Tuesday said the appointments are to facilitate the needed relief to Nigerians and ensure the effectiveness of humanitarian and social development programmes.
This is while the Minister in charge, Betta Edu, remains suspended following allegations of financial impropriety, even as angry Nigerians have been protesting on the streets against bad governance and hunger.
The new appointees are:
(1) Dr. Badamasi Lawal — 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 — 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 — Programme Manager, Grant for Vulnerable Groups
Ms. Alubankudi holds a bachelor’s degree in community development. She has experience as a risk assessor and financial manager.
(4) Princess Aderemi Adebowale — 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 — Programme Manager, National Cash Transfer Office
Mr. Imam 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 — 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 — Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons
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.
The statement issued by presidential media adviser, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, added that “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”.
