17 NPC commissioners take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu swore in 17 federal commissioners of the National Population Commission on Wednesday, before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The 17 new and returning commissioners took the oath of office in three batches of six, six, and five at the hallowed Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Those sworn are Emmanuel Eke (Abia), Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra), Alex Ukam (Cross River), Blessyn Brume-Maguha (Delta), and Jeremiah Nwankwegu (Ebonyi).

Others include Sa’adatu Garba (Kaduna), Aminu Tsanyawa (Kano), Yori Afolabi (Kogi), Mary Afan (Plateau), and Ogiri Henry (Rivers).

Those returned are: Isa Buratai (Borno), Tony Alyejina (Edo), Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Ejike Ezeh (Enugu), Abubakar Damburam (Gombe), Uba Nnabue (Imo), and Sani Sale (Taraba).

On November 8, 2023, President Tinubu appointed 20 federal commissioners to the NPC, nine of whom were appointed for a second term in office.

A month later, on December 12, he forwarded the names of 19 of the 20 nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

However, only 17 appeared for the Senate’s screening on February 24, 2024, and were subsequently confirmed.

Meanwhile, the FEC meeting, presided over by President Tinubu, observed a minute of silence on the death of the former Minister of State for Health, Gabriel Aduku, who died at the age of 80.

Aduku was appointed minister during the tenure of the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, where he played an important role in driving policies that positively impacted the health sector of the country.