In a move aimed at bolstering the efficiency and service delivery within the Federal Civil Service, President Bola Tinubu has given his nod to the appointment of eight new Permanent Secretaries. According to release announcing the appointments, the decision follows a rigorous selection process conducted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are:
1. Ndakayo-Aishetu Gogo
2. Adeoye Adeleye Ayodeji
3. Rimi Nura Abba
4. Bako Deborah Odoh
5. Omachi Raymond Omenka
6. Ahmed Dunoma Umar
7. Watti Tinuke
8. Ella Nicholas Agbo
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, conveyed this development on November 24, 2023.
According to Chief Ngelale, these individuals, having emerged as top candidates through a meticulous assessment, are expected to play crucial roles in realising the Renewed Hope mandate. He disclosed that President Tinubu expresses confidence in their expertise and competence, anticipating a positive impact on service delivery across Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, ultimately serving the best interests of the Nigerian people.
Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, one of the appointees, boasts an extensive background in law and international relations. Born on April 11, 1965, in Ogene-Amejo, Benue State, Nigeria, Ella holds a Second Class Honours degree in Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989 and later pursued Master’s degrees in International Relations and Law from Monash University, Australia, and ICFAI University, Hyderabad, India, respectively.
Ambassador Ella’s diplomatic career spans several roles, including serving at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in Geneva and the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi. His wealth of experience culminated in his position as Director of the Consular and Legal Department, a position he is vacating for the new office of Permanent Secretary.
In addition to his professional achievements, Ambassador Ella is proficient in Idoma, Hausa, and English, showcasing a diverse linguistic ability. His dedication to continuous learning is evident through his participation in various courses both within Nigeria and abroad.
Deborah Bako Odoh, another appointee, brings a wealth of experience as a public health physician. Her recent role as the National Coordinator of the Non-Communicable Diseases Division in the Federal Ministry of Health showcases her commitment to public health initiatives. Prior to this, she served in various capacities, including Deputy Director of the Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Division in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
I had the opportunity yesterday of catching up with my 'senior' in Medical School – Dr Adedamola Dada, Medical Director FMC Ebute-Metta. He has done amazing things at the hospital and I was able to harvesting some invaluable tips! #transformativeleadership#ILUMSA#unilorin pic.twitter.com/Lj5upwkPJX
— Deborah Bako Odoh (@deborah_odoh) November 22, 2023
Dr. Deborah Odoh’s educational background is impressive, with a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and another from the University of Ibadan with specialisation in Field Epidemiology. She also holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Ilorin.
Her career trajectory includes significant contributions to the National AIDS/STIs Control Programme, where she held various leadership positions from 2014 to 2021, further solidifying her expertise in public health.
On social media, while many comments see the appointments as President Tinubu’s strategic appointments underscore his commitment to injecting fresh talent and expertise into key positions within the Federal Civil Service, some are not impressed.
The only contribution he gives to the Nigeria economy is to make appointments
— Joyeehhhh (@Joyeidache) November 24, 2023
All he does is to appoint
God Which kind of president is this one?
— Davido 003 (@sunnyigede1) November 24, 2023
The expectation is that these seasoned professionals will contribute significantly to the realisation of the administration’s goals and enhance public service delivery for the benefit of the Nigerian populace.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7m7dvJuyA7h5XMc22i
