Dr Joy Yimebe Nunieh: removed from NDDC interim management committee

President Muhammadu Buhari has removed Joy Yimebe Nunieh, a lawyer as acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Simultaneously, Buhari approved the appointment of Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei as the new acting managing director, while also enlarging the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from three members to five.

Nunieh was part of the initial three-man management committee appointed by Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, after the Senate had approved the nominees proposed by the president.

Other original members were Ibanga Bassey, acting executive director, finance and administration, and Cairo Ojougboh, acting executive director, projects.

A statement by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s media adviser did not state why Nunieh was dropped.

The five members of the committee are now: Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, who is the Ag. Managing Director, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Ag. Executive Director (Projects); Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang, Ag. Executive Director (Finance and Administration); Mrs Caroline Nagbo (Member); and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide, OON, a former Vice President with African Development Bank, (Member).

Prof K.D Pondei, the new Ag. Managing Director, is a Professor of Medicine at the Niger Delta University, and former Provost, College of Health Sciences of the institution.

President Buhari had earlier approved that the Interim Management Committee would be in place until the forensic audit of the NDDC was concluded.