President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of the Chief Executive Officers of seven parastatals, who are expected to resumed with immediate effect.
In a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, listed the names of the seven parastatals and the CEOs.
Among the appointees is a former Minister of Women Affairs and former Women Leader in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajiya Inna Maryamm Ciroma, who is the new Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
While Mrs. Sally Mbanefo is the new Executive Director of the National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), and takes over from Otunba Segun Runsewe, the new Director- General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is Bature Masadi.
The appointees include: Mrs. Dukpe C. Atoki, the new Director-General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC); and Engr. Danjuma Dabo, the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC).
Others are: Mr. Emeka Nkem Mba, the new Director- General of Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC); and Prof. Eli Jidere, the new Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria.
Born September 11, 1954, in Borno State, the new NIWA boss was appointed Minister of Women Affairs in July 2005 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
She was replaced by Saudatu Bungudu when President Umaru Yar’Adua swore in his cabinet in July 2007.
Ciroma attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1978 with a degree in Political Science, and later obtained a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration.
She worked as cadet editor, NTA Kaduna, before joining the Federal Civil Service, where she worked from 1980 to 1985, before becoming Chairman/Chief Executive of Intis Investment Company.
She is the wife of Mallam Adamu Ciroma, who was one-time Editor at New Nigerian newspapers, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Minister of Finance under former President Obasanjo.
In 2003, the new NIWA boss made a bid to become the PDP candidate for the Borno South Senatorial District.
After she was appointed Minister of State for Women Affairs in July 2005, replacing Rita Akpan, she retained this position in the major reshuffle of January 2007.
In August 2005, he started a nationwide advocacy tour of the 36 states of the Nigerian Federation on matters relating to child’s rights and discrimination against women.
Before the 2007 elections, she called for a percentage of electoral positions to be reserved for women, decrying the marginalisation of women in Nigerian politics.
During her ministerial tour of duty, the Federal Government approved the National Gender Policy in pursuance of gender equality and children welfare in the country.
In January 2007, her Ministry issued National Guidelines and Standards of Practice for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
Speaking in May 2007 of the action plan spelled out in this report, Ciroma said: “Without taking determined steps to address the specific needs of children, there will be no chance of meeting the Millennium Development Goals.”
After leaving office as Minister, Ciroma became National Woman Leader of the PDP.
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