El-Rufai nominates Ooni’s daughter-in-law, 12 others commissioners

Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, has nominated the daughter in-law of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Amina Ruth Dyeris-Sijuwade, to head the Justice ministry. Amina is the wife of the first son of the monarch who is rumoured to have joined his ancestors, Prince Adetokunbo.

Prince Adetokunbo Sijuade

In a letter to Aminu Shagali, the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mr. El-Rufai requested the legislators consider and approve 13 of his nominees as commissioners. The governor also attached their portfolios in the interest of a transparent screening process.

The nominees are:

1 Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, Health and Human Services

2 Hajiya Rabi M.G. Abdulsalam, Women Affairs and Social Development

3 Engr. Suleiman Aliyu Lere, Water Resources

4 Muhammed Sani Abdullahi, Budget and Planning

5 Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari, Agriculture and Forestry

6 Muhammad Bashir Saidu, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

7 Hon. Suleiman Abdu Kwari, Finance

8 Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu, Education, Science and Technology

9 Dr. Ya’u Usman Idris, Environment and Natural Resources

10 Hon. Daniel Auta, Youth, Sport and Culture

11 Shehu Balarabe, Commerce, Industry and Tourism

12 Amina Ruth Dyeris-Sijuwade, Justice

13 Usman Mahmud Hassan, Works, Housing and Transport

Jonathan Andrew Nok, the nominee for the Health and Human Services portfolio, is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Born in 1962, he won the Nigerian National Merit Award in 2010 and is the author of several highly rated publications. He is from Jaba Local Government Area (LGA).

Hajiya Rabi M.G. Abdulsalam, the nominee for the Women Affairs and Social Development portfolio, was born in 1969. She holds a master’s in Public Administration. She has previously served as Special Assistant to two Governors of the State. She is from Kaduna North.

Engineer Suleiman Aliyu Lere is nominated for the Water Resources Ministry. Born in 1968, he holds a master’s in Civil Engineering. He has worked in the business and banking sectors. He is from Lere.

Muhammed Sani Abdullahi is nominated for the Budget and Planning Ministry. Born in 1979, he holds two master’s degrees, one in Development Economics and Policy, the other in International Affairs and Diplomacy. Widely known as Dattijo, he was most recently working at the United Nations where he was an adviser to the Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon on designing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will be replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) later this year.

Mr. Dattijo has worked as an Economic Adviser to the Nigeria Governors Forum and as an adviser to Hajia Amina Mohammed while she was Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs. He is from Kaduna North.

Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari is the nominee for the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. Born in 1969, he is a doctor of veterinary medicine. He has served in various NGOs and is a member of various professional bodies. He is from Kachia.

Muhammad Bashir Saidu is the nominee for the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ministry. Born in 1957, he holds an MBA and a post-graduate diploma in Shipping and Transport Management. He is from Zaria.

Hon. Suleiman Abdu Kwari is the nominee for the Finance Ministry. Born in 1962, he holds an MBA. He is a financial consultant and has served as a Commissioner in the Securities and Exchange Commission. He is a former member of the House of Representatives. He was Chairman of Sabon-Gari Local Government Council between 1991 and 1993.

Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu is nominated for the Education, Science and Technology portfolio. Born in 1968, the former lecturer holds a PhD in Applied Parasitology. He was a member representing Maigana in the State House of Assembly. He is from Soba.

Dr. Ya’u Usman Idris, the Environment and Natural Resources nominee, was born in 1964. He holds a PhD in Applied Nuclear Physics. He has worked at the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority. He is from Kauru.

Hon. Daniel Amuze Auta, the Youth, Sports and Culture nominee, is from Chikun. Born in 1956, he holds a diploma in Production Management. He is a former member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

Shehu Balarabe is nominated for the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Ministry. Born in 1967, he holds an MBA. He has worked in NEPA and in the private sector. He is from Giwa.

Amina Ruth Dyeris-Sijuwade is nominated for the Justice Ministry. Born in 1968, she holds degrees in English and Law. She has been a legal practitioner, NGO worker and consultant. She is from Jema’a.

Usman Mahmud Hassan is nominated for the Works, Housing and Transport portfolio. Born in 1962. He is an electrical engineer, with experience working in the public and private sectors. He is from Kudan.