NDDC: Ojugboh Dropped, Okumagba Picked as Board Chairman
2 min read
Dr Cairo Ojugboh’s name has been dropped from the list of nominees into the board of the NDDC, TNN has learnt. In his place, Bernard Okumagba has been listed as chairman of the commission.
Okumagba had been named in August last year as managing director. He was screened and cleared for the position by the Nigerian Senate but was not inaugurated alongside the other nominees.
Ojugboh may have been dropped following protests by stakeholders who rejected his nomination. He was among those on the list of nominees which the minister of Niger Delta Affairs presented to Government Ekpemepulo, alias Tompolo, during the minister’s visit to Oporoza last week.
But TNN learnt that various stakeholders kicked against Ojugbo’s nomination. Ojugboh was seen as Akpabio’s candidate. The deputy senate president, Senator Omo-Agege reported to have been irked and protested that Okumagba could not be dropped as member of the board.
On Wednesday, TNN learnt that Ojugboh’s name was dropped by Akpabio. The nominees would be presented to the president, Muhammadu Buhari any moment from now, for appointment. Akapbio had already assured Tompolo that the new board would be made public sometime this month.
Okumagba is believed to be a thorough bred technocrat and administrator. He is from Warri South Local Government Area of the Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State.
He attended Government College Ughelli from 1977 to 1983 and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1983 to 1987 where he graduated with a B.sc degree in Accountancy (2nd Class Honours Upper Division). Bernard also qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1991 and he is presently a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA).
He started his working career at the International financial services firm Arthur Andersen & Co (now KPMG) in 1988. He later worked in several banks from 1991 to 2007. His banking career commenced at Oceanic Bank Plc in the Financial Control/Strategy as well as the Corporate Banking Divisions from 1991 to 1994.
Thereafter, he worked in Crystal Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Atlantic Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc from 1994 to 2007. He held several positions at these banks including Senior Manager, Corporate Banking Division, Head of Internal Control/Audit Division, Bank Chief Inspector and Principal Manager, Consumer and Commercial Banking Division amongst others. He left United Bank for Africa Plc in August 2007 following his appointment as Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.
He served as Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget from August 2007 to November 2010 and was subsequently appointed Commissioner for Finance and served in that capacity from November 2010 to May 2011.
He was reappointed Delta State Commissioner for Finance in July 2011 and held this position until July 2013. He is presently Chairman of Regents Consults Limited, Chairman of Nigdel Oil and Gas Limited and a Director at Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc. Bernard Oboatarhieyeren Okumagba is a Leader of the All Progressives Congress from Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
