Buhari Chooses Orji as NEITI Executive Secretary

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr Ogbonnaya Orji as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

This was disclosed by the Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Willie Bassey, via a statement issued today in Abuja.

The statement said that Mr Orji’s appointment was for a single term of five years.

“In accordance with the provision of Section 12 (2) (a) and 6 (3) of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Establishment) Act, 2007, Orji’s appointment is for a single term of five years.

“The appointment takes effect from February 19, 2021,” the statement disclosed.

Mr Orji takes over from Mr Waziri Adio, whose tenure expires on Thursday, February 18.

Until his appointment, Mr Orji was the agency’s Director of Communications and Advocacy.

He began his career at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and also worked with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he managed several donor-funded projects.

Mr Orji holds M.Sc degree and PhD in Political Economy and International Development from the University of Abuja.

The President enjoined the new appointee to serve the nation with all sense of responsibility, honesty, diligence and promote good governance in the discharge of his duties.

NEITI was established in 2004 as the key anti-corruption agency at the presidency and is responsible for ensuring transparency, accountability and governance of the country’s oil, gas and mining industries.