President Bola Tinubu has officially inaugurated 17 federal commissioners of the National Population Commission, whom he nominated in November of the previous year. The swearing-in ceremony took place in three batches at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday afternoon.
The appointments made by President Tinubu included both new and returning commissioners, with nine of them serving a second term in office. These appointments were submitted to the Senate for confirmation on December 12, following which 17 of the 19 nominees were screened and confirmed on February 24, 2024.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Emmanuel Eke (Abia), Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra), Isa Buratal (Borno), Alex Ukam (Cross River), Blessyn Brume-Maguha (Delta), Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu (Ebonyi), Tony Alyejina (Edo), Ejike Ezeh (Enugu), Abubakar Damburam (Gombe), Uba Nnabue (Imo), Sa’adatu Garba (Kaduna), Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa (Kano), Yori Afolabii (Kogi), Mary Afan (Plateau), Saany Sale (Taraba), and Ogiri Henry (Rivers).
However, Olakunle Sobukola (Ogun) and Temitayo Oluwatiyi (Ondo) were not screened by the Senate Committee due to their absence, attributed to “recent political developments in their states.”
The Federal Executive Council also observed a minute’s silence in honor of Gabriel Aduku, a former Minister of State for Health, before proceeding with its ninth meeting under the current administration.