President Bola Tinubu has appointed former House of Representatives member Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, succeeding Dr Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marred by controversy.
In a statement on Monday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the President also named Mohammed Musa as the Commission’s secretary, while retaining Kayode Oladele from Ogun State as commissioner. Oladele, also a former House of Representatives member, was appointed in 2024 as the commission’s acting chairman.
Tinubu renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi) and Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun) for a second term, and also reappointed Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla (Lagos).
New commissioners appointed are Obina Oriaku (Abia), Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra), Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi), Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue), Modu Mustapha (Borno), Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta), Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi), Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo), Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Peter Eze (Enugu), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe), Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna), Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano), Anas Isah (Katsina), Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Isah Jibrin (Niger), Ajimudu Bola (Ondo), Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye (Oyo), Pam Bolman (Plateau), Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), Aminu Tambar (Sokoto), Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba), Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara) and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).
In a separate development, Tinubu appointed Rinsola Abiola as Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC). According to Onanuga, Abiola, an expert in strategic communication and government relations, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President. Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji was also named Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership. Ja’oji, a former Special Adviser on Mobilisation to the Governor of Kano State and a member of the Governing Council of Coordinated Arewa Youth Groups, is known for his advocacy of women and youth empowerment.
Later on Monday, the President approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP). The Minister of Environment will chair the Council, which also includes Loanyie Barituka Victor representing environmental NGOs, Bright Onyebuchi Jacob and Henry Obiabure representing Niger Delta communities, Barinedum Michael Nwibere and Baride Abdul Gwezia representing the Ogoni community, and Gideon Onyebuwa Melfor and Ibikunle Omotehinse representing the nine oil-producing states. Alternate members are Abraham Olungwe and Maeba Power Ekpobari for Ogoniland, and Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei for the Niger Delta.
The reconstituted HYREP Board of Trustees will be chaired by Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah, who was reappointed. Other members include Fred Mbombo Igwe and Fred Barivule Kpakol representing Ogoni communities, Dorcas Amos representing other Niger Delta communities, and Jide Damazio, who was reappointed as the representative of environmental NGOs.
