The attention of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has been called to the recent appoint of Prof Aliyu Jauro as the new Director General of the Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency (NESREA). While not questioning the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Nigerians of his choice into top government positions, we express our shock and surprise that, this new case, has taken same sectional and lopsided nature.
We put on record that Prof Ajuoro, a graduate of 1997, is replacing Dr. Lawrence Anukam, a thorough professional with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Anukam was not afforded the opportunity of second term usually extended to high performing Heads of Parastatals and Agencies. Even more surprising, the Acting Director General, Mrs Miranda Amachree, being the most senior was also sidelined.
It is sad, that this appointment, the first after the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) declared President Buhari the winner of the Presidential elections has taken same old pattern of exclusion and discrimination against some Nigerians as if they are second class citizens in their own country.
This is clearly at variance with the recent promise of Mr President to run an inclusive government. Is that he wants to start inclusivity at the beginning of second term whine sectionalism and narrowness reigns till May 29 or the promise is a deception?
We demand the immediate reversal of the appointment of Prof Jouro and request the consideration of either the substantive DG, Dr. Anukam or the most senior Director, Mrs Amachree.
Yinka Odumakin South West
Prof Chigozie Ogbu
South East
Senator Bassey Henahaw
South South
Dr Isuwa Dogo Middle Belt
