GEJ appoints new FIRS boss, Dan Abia is NDDC MD, Osunbor NLRC chair, Mua’zu is PENCOM boss

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, wrote the Senate seeking for the confirmation of M’fon Akpan as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The president’s recommendation for replacement for the former occupant of the post, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, was coming one year after her removal.

Jonathan, in a letter addressed to Senate President David Mark, said the nomination was pursuant to the provision of Section 11a of the Federal Inland Revenue (Establishment) Act 2007.

“Pursuant to the provision of Section 11a of the Federal Inland Revenue (Establishment) Act, 2007, which stipulates that the Executive Chairman shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate, I write to forward the name of M’fon Akpan, whose CV is attached herewith for consideration as Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service.

“It is my hope that this will receive the usual kind expeditious attention of the distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the letter read in part.

In the same vein, the president sought the confirmation of Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and Mr Bassey Dan-Abia as chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), respectively.

He also sought the confirmation of 13 others as executive directors and representatives of various oil producing states in the board of NDDC.

He said the nominations were in compliance with Section 2(1) of NDDC Act of 2000.
He also said the nomination followed the dissolution of the Governing Board of the Commission on September 13, 2011.

Other nominees included Itotenaan Ogiri (ED, Finance an Administration), Tuoyo Omatsulu (ED Projects) from Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, respectively.

Also on the list were Ball Oyarede (Bayelsa), Ephraim Etete (Rivers), Etim Inyang Jnr. (Akwa Ibom), Adah Andeshi (Cross River), Tom Amioku (Delta), Samuel Nwogu (Abia), Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian (Imo).

Others were Suleiman Sa’d (North-central), Abdumalik Mahmud (North-east), Enikuomehin Olorungbonju (Ondo) and Mark Ward (Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS).

Jonathan also urged the Senate to confirm the appointments of former Governor Adamu Mu’azu of Bauchi State as chairman of the National Pension Commission.

He also named Chinelo Anohu-Amazu (South-East), Omotowa Gilbert (North-Central), Mohamed Abubakar (North-West) and Adesojo Olaoba-Efuntayo as full time commissioners, in accordance with Section 16 (3) and 17 (1) of Pension Reform Act, respectively.

He also urged the Senate to confirm the appointment of former governor of Edo State, Professor Osarheimen Osunbor, as Chairman, Nigeria Law Reform Commission (NLRC).

Also named as commissioners for the agency are Kefas Magaji (North-East), P.C Okorie (South-East) and Mrs Zainab Ibrahim (North-Central).