BEVERLY HILLS, October 26, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has revealed that Prof. Akintunde Akinwande, Chairman-designate of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) did not reject the nomination offered him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), the Presidency revealed that Akinwande was unavailable for screening because he had not tidied up some paper work in his current job in the US.
“May we please state that the nominee informed our office that he is a term employee of a university and he has to follow laid down procedure of the institution to obtain appropriate excuse or leave to enable him attend the screening,” the statement read.
“That the said nominee is in contact with the office of the senior special assistant to the president on national assembly matters (senate). He has indicated his availability for the screening and interest in the offer, upon being communicated a date to appear.
“The respected senate committee on power, steel development and metallurgy was duly informed by me of the unavoidable absence of the nominee. There was no statement or implication of rejection by the nominee.
“The presidency liaison office in the national assembly is looking for a suitable date for Akinwande to appear for screening.”
THEWILL recalls that Akinwande’s absence at the senate for screening, and his inability to avail himself to the Department of State Services (DSS) for security checks had led to reports that he had rejected the appointment.
Akinwande is engaged on a project at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Other nominees for the board appointment includes Sanusi Garuba (Vice Chairman); Nathan R. Shatti (commissioner); Dr. Moses Arigu (commissioner); Dafe C. Akpeneye (commissioner); Prof. Frank Okafor (commissioner); and, Musiliu O. Oseni (commissioner).
Story by Oputah David
