Emmanuel OchayiPresident Bola Tinubu has removed Wike’s ally, Chukwuemeka Woke as Managing Director (MD) of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale announced the change in a statement on Wednesday.
Woke, a close ally of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was appointed head of the authority on May 9, 2024. However, his appointment quickly drew public criticism. Various groups and individuals argued that the selection violated principles of familiarity and regional representation.
Addressing the controversy, Ngelale stated, “The President has listened to the public outcry and has decided to make changes for the betterment of the agency.” Woke has now been reassigned as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
“Engr. Woke, besides being an engineer, is an environmental specialist and politician. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering and has served under the Environmental, Safety, and Operations Departments of the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),” Ngelale elaborated. “He was also the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, for many years.”
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Replacing Woke at OORBDA is Dr. Adedeji Ashiru. Dr. Ashiru holds a Doctorate degree in Engineering from the Common Wealth University, UK. He has an impressive track record, having led a consortium of blue-chip companies and earned significant accolades in his field.
“The President expects the new Chief Executive Officers to deploy their competencies to these critical agencies for sustainable gains and turnaround, while maintaining utmost transparency in their operations,” Ngelale added.
This reshuffle underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing public concerns and ensuring competent leadership in key government positions. The swift response to the backlash over Woke’s appointment highlights the administration’s responsiveness to the voice of the people.
The change in leadership at OORBDA is seen as a strategic move to restore public trust and enhance the efficiency of the agency. Dr. Ashiru’s extensive experience and professional achievements are expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed vigor to the agency’s operations.
The reassignment of Woke to NOSDRA, an agency responsible for managing oil spill responses, aligns with his background in environmental and safety roles. This move is anticipated to leverage his expertise in a more fitting capacity, addressing critical environmental challenges.
As the new appointments take effect, stakeholders are hopeful that these changes will lead to improved performance and accountability within the agencies. The public remains watchful, anticipating positive outcomes from the President’s decisions.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
