Nigeria's President Buhari Appoints New Senior Special Assistants (SSA), SGF, Chief of Staff and Others.

Former Senator Ita Solomon Enang from Akwa Ibom State appointed as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on National Assembly Matters (Senate). 

By Tom Okure, Ph.D
August 27, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in a statement on Thursday August 27, 2015 announced that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a list of several new appointments.  

The list of appointees includes a native of Akwa Ibom state, former Senator Ita Solomon Enang as the President's Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on National Assembly Matters (Senate).  

Senator Ita Solomon Enang

Mr. Ita Enang is a career Nigerian politician who represented the Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011.  In the 2011 Federal elections, he was elected Senator for the Uyo (North East) Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State. Other appointments announced are:

• Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu as the President’s SSA on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)
• Babachir David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation
• Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff to the President
• Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) as Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service
• Kure Martin Abeshi as Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service

All the appointments are effective immediately according to the press statement.

The new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Lawal is from Hong Local Government Area in Adamawa State. He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree. He previously worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited. In 1990, he established his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm.  He is a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

The new Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari holds a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Law and Sociology which he earned from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick respectively. He previously worked in various capacities for the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever and Mobil.

Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) the new Comptroller General of Customs, was a former military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998. He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. 

Mr. Martin Abeshi, the new Comptroller General of Immigration is a native of Nasarawa State. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration and joined the Nigerian Immigration Service as an Assistant Comptroller in 1989

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Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, economic development and public policy advisor, commentator and change advocate. Dr. Okure is the CEO of ICMS,Inc a New York State based management/business consulting firm and Global Master Servicing Agent (MSA) which provides referral, advisory, training, diagnostic and assessment and speaker services

Nigeria’s President Buhari Announces The Appointments of New NSA and Military Service Chiefs

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT BUHARI ANOUNCES THE APPOINTMENTS OF NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND NSA 

July, 13, 2015
Source: Femi Adesina 
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments: 

• Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin - Chief of Defence Staff; 
• Major-General T.Y. Buratai - Chief of Army Staff 
• Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas - Chief of Naval Staff 
• Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar - Chief of Air Staff 
• Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan - Chief of Defence Intelligence 
• Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) - National Security Adviser 

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State. 

The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until his new appointment today, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena. Maj-Gen. Buratai has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army's 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State. 

The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983. His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited. 

The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State. His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters. 

The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate. President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Commentary

A few hours before the announcement of the new appointments, Femi Adesina who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity had annouced that Buhari had dismissed the existing National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the current service chiefs of the army, air force and the navy and would annouce their replacements shortly.

 Dismissed Military Service Chiefs

The service chiefs whose current appointments are terminated are Usman Jibrin, Chief of Naval Staff; Alex Badeh, Chief of Defense Staff; Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Army Staff and Adesola Amosu, Chief of Air Staff.

Footnote:  

One may recall the directive from the All Progressives Congress (APC) when they were in opposition to the PDP on its members in the Senate chamber to resist the screening the service chiefs until the political crisis in Rivers State was resolved by the federal government.

Related link: President Jonathan Swears Nigerias New Military Chiefs