By George Ozalla
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of former House of Representatives spokesman, Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas, as the new Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), while also appointing former Edo lawmaker, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, as Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and reappointing Mr. Chukwuma Umeoji as Executive Director, Corporate Services of the company.
The appointments, announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, take immediate effect.
According to the statement, Namdas replaces Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, who resigned from the BCDA to pursue an elective political position in his home state.
A seasoned journalist, public relations practitioner and politician, Namdas represented Ganye/Jada/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives, where he served as spokesman of the 8th House of Representatives.
He also served as Chief Press Secretary to former Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna, and was among the aspirants who participated in the recently concluded governorship primary election in Adamawa State.
The Presidency expressed confidence that Namdas’ extensive experience in public communication, governance and legislative affairs would be valuable in advancing the mandate of the Border Communities Development Agency, particularly in addressing developmental challenges confronting Nigeria’s border communities.
In a related development, President Tinubu appointed Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon as Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
Obahiagbon replaces Engineer Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who resigned from the position to pursue his political ambition in Edo State.
Widely known for his oratory and distinctive command of the English language, Obahiagbon previously served in both the Edo State House of Assembly and the National Assembly, where he built a reputation as one of the country’s most outspoken lawmakers.
The President also reappointed Mr. Chukwuma Umeoji as Executive Director, Corporate Services of the NDPHC after his earlier resignation to contest for political office in Anambra State.
Umeoji, who represented Aguata Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the 9th National Assembly, returns to the board of the power holding company following the conclusion of his political aspiration.
The appointments are seen as part of the Tinubu administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen key government institutions by bringing experienced political leaders and administrators into strategic public offices.
The Border Communities Development Agency is responsible for coordinating and implementing programmes aimed at improving infrastructure, security, economic opportunities and social services in Nigeria’s border communities, while the Niger Delta Power Holding Company serves as a critical institution driving electricity infrastructure development under the National Integrated Power Project.
The Presidency stated that all the appointments take effect immediately as the new and returning officials assume responsibility for their respective offices.
