From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has confirmed nominees for appointments into key federal institutions, including the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the South West Development Commission (SWDC), the South South Development Commission (SSDC) and the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
The confirmations followed the consideration and adoption of separate reports by relevant Senate committees during plenary yesterday.
Mr. Thompson Oludare Sunday was confirmed as the Managing Director and Dr. Kabir Sabo Katata as Executive Director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). Their confirmations followed the presentation of the report by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).
Also confirmed was the board of the South West Development Commission (SWDC), following the report by chairman of the committee, Yunus Abiodun Akintunde (Oyo Central). Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi from Osun State was confirmed as chairman of the commission, while Dr. Charles Akindiji Akinola from Lagos State was confirmed as Managing Director. Other members of the board include Bolaji Idris Ariyo from Ekiti, Mr. Joseph Akin Olugbenga Olorunshola from Osun, and Scholastic Olanike Omoworare from Ogun.
Mr. Oluwamuyiwa Timothy Olabintan from Ondo and Dr. Adewinle Olajide Martins from Oyo were also confirmed as members, alongside Dr. Ibrahim Adeniyi Olaifa representing the North West, Kabiru Ado Lakwaya representing the North East, and Rear Admiral Abdul Biu Adamu (retd.) representing the North Central. Mr. Fagbemi Akinola Benjamin was confirmed to represent the South East, Dr. Ukoha Onyekwere the South South, and Alwell Iheanacho also the South South.
The executive director positions in the SWDC were filled by Mr. Olusegun Joshua Olufehinti for Projects (Ondo), Mr. Tele Ogunjobi for Finance (Ogun) and Funmilayo Tejuosho for Corporate Services (Lagos). Mr. Fatai Ibikunle from Oyo was confirmed as Executive Director of Commercial and Environmental Development, while Alhaji Lateef Oladimeji Ajijola from Ekiti was confirmed as Executive Director of Social and Human Capital Development.
The Senate also confirmed the board of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), following the report presented by chairman of the committee, Benson Friday Konbowei (Bayelsa Central). Chibudom Nwuche, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives from Rivers State was confirmed as Chairman, and Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom as Managing Director.
Other confirmed members included Larry Odey from Cross River, Charles Zuofa from Bayelsa, Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong from Akwa Ibom, and Chika Chinda from Rivers.
Also confirmed were Femi Osie from Edo, Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate from Delta, Tabitha Ilya Sallah from the North East, Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao and Joseph Mmamal from the North Central, Bukola Braimoh from the South West, and Marcus Eji from the South East.
However, the nominee from the North West, Tijani Yahaya Kaura, was not confirmed as a member of the SSDC because he failed to present his documents and did not appear before the Senate Committee for screening. Despite this, the Chairman of the SSDC Committee informed the Senate that the committee was willing to screen the nominee whenever he makes himself available.
The SSDC executive positions were filled by Aganaba Preye Steven for Projects (Rivers), Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye for Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa), Joseph Ugheoke for Corporate Services (Edo), and Ambassador Sony Abang for Commercial and Environmental Development (Cross River). The nominee for Executive Director of Finance was also confirmed, though the name was not specified in the Order Paper.
Similarly, the Senate confirmed nominees for the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), following the presentation of the report by Senator Zam Tartenger Titus (Benue North West). Cosmas T. Akighir from Benue was confirmed as Chairman, while Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen from Plateau was confirmed as Managing Director.
Members of the board include Dauda Shuaibu Kigbu from Nasarawa, Zakari Haliru Jikantoro from Niger, Alh. Suleiman Baba Ali from Kwara, Rev. Bunmi Olusona from Plateau, and Dr. Umar Ibrahim Mantu from Benue. Atotse Abraham from the FCT, Solomon Adodo representing the North West, Abdulkadir S. Usman from the North East, Habu Mamman from the South West, Dr. Atinuke Owolabi from the South South, and Racheal Kufre Nse from the South East were also confirmed as members.
The executive directors for the NCDC include Chief Boniface Izziogu from Benue, James Abel Uloko for Projects (Kogi), Princess Aika Ajanah from Kwara, Hajia Bilqis Jimoke Sanni from Nasarawa, Hajia Aishatu Rujui Ibrahim from Niger, and Muhammad Bashar, whose designation was not specified.
In his remarks, the presiding officer, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, congratulated the nominees following their confirmation and urged them to ensure that “the intention of Mr President to evenly develop our nation is realised.” He added that the parliament would ensure through their oversight functions that the purpose for which the agencies were established are achieved.