Buhari appoints Ogbonnaya Orji as executive secretary of NEITI

By Emeka Chiaghanam

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ogbonnaya Orji as the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) with effect from February 19, 2021.

Mr Orji replaces Waziri Adio who has completed a five-year term as the head of the nation’s extractive industry watchdog.

The Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Willie Bassey, in a statement issued on Thursday, stated that the appointment is for a single term of five years in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 (2) (a) and 6 (3) of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Establishment) Act, 2007.

President Muhammadu Buhari enjoined the new appointee to serve the nation with all sense of responsibility, honesty, diligence and promote good governance in the discharge of his duties.

Dr Orji was until his appointment the Director of Communications and Advocacy at NEITI. Dr Orji previously worked with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) before jointing NEITI in 2010.

NEITI was established in 2004 as the key anti-corruption agency at the Presidency and is responsible for enthroning transparency, accountability and governance of the country’s oil, gas and mining industries.