International Women’s Day: Presidency releases names of 50 female appointees in Buhari’s cabinet

By JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day with the “Choose to Challenge”, the Presidency has released names of 50 female appointees in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said in the statement that “The celebration provides ample opportunity to reflect on how President Muhammadu Buhari honours the womenfolk.”

The statement tagged ‘International Women’s Day: See How President Buhari Celebrates Nigerian Women” listed the following women

Zainab Ahmed, Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Sadiya Umar Farouq, Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; Pauline Tallen, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs; Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment; Sharon Ikeazor, Honourable Minister of State for Environment; Gbemisola Saraki, Honourable Minister of State for Transportation; Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Mariam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President and Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, and Secretary of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

Others are Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Hadiza Bala-Usman, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson and CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission; Chioma Ejikeme, Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD); Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO); Aisha Dahir-Umar, Director-General, National Pension Commission; Jummai A.M. Audi, Chairperson, Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC); Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/Chief Executive of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Nigeria and Nnenna Akajemeli, National Coordinator/CEO, SERVICOM.

Others are Folashade Joseph, Managing Director, Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC); Cecilia Gaya, Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON); Ronke Sokefun, Chairperson, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); Aishah Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Oge Modie, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Strategic Communications; Moji Rhodes. Senior Special Assistant on Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs; Toyin Adeniji, Executive Director, Micro Enterprises, Bank of Industry (Oversees the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, GEEP); and Stella Okotete, Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM Bank

Others are Omolola Abiola-Edewor, Executive Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); Imaan Sulaiman–Ibrahim, Director-General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, and INEC Federal Commissioner-nominee; Dr. Yosola Akinbi – Senior Technical Adviser, National Economic Council (NEC) (Office of the Vice President); Dr. Balikisu Saidu, Senior Special Assistant Legal, Research and Compliance Issues (OVP); Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi – Senior Special Assistant – Rule Of Law (OVP); Foluso Idumu, Senior Special Assistant On Administration (OVP); Lanre Shasore, Senior Special Assistant On Coordination & Planning (OVP); Dr Ebi Awosika, Senior Technical Assistant On Community Engagements (OVP) and Olaolu Beckley, Special Assistant On Documentation (OVP).

Others are Edewede Akhidenor – Special Assistant, Administration (OVP); Nkoli Anyaoku– Special Assistant, Administration (OVP); Dr. Lilian Idiaghe – Special Assistant, Legal (OVP); Tolani Alli – Special Assistant On Visual Communications (OVP); Toyosi Onalapo – Special Assistant On Community Engagements; Haijya Halima Bawa – Special Assistant On Community Engagements; Nonye Ojekwe – Special Assistant On Community Engagements; Koko Iyamusa – Special Assistant Administration (Wife of the VP); Fakorede Omotayo Basirat- Special Assistant On Special Duties and Omotayo Rachael Omowunmi – Special Assistant On Household & Social Events. (The SUN)