Despite protests, senate confirms NYCN president as FCT rep on NCDC board

The senate has confirmed Solomon Adodo, a native of Benue state, as the representative of the federal capital territory (FCT) on the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), despite protests by indigenous Abuja residents.

The senate confirmed Adodo and 18 other nominees recommended by President Bola Tinubu during the plenary on Thursday following the consideration of a report by the committee on the NCDC chaired by Titus Zam, senator representing Benue north-west.

Adodo is the president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

Tinubu sent the list of nominees to the senate for screening in May.

Zam said the committee thoroughly assessed all the nominees and found them qualified to serve on the board.

“Having carefully scrutinised the credentials of the nominees and being satisfied with their performances, experiences, qualifications, and competencies, the committee hereby recommends that the senate do confirm the nominations,” he said.

Adodo’s nomination had triggered protests from indigenous groups in Abuja, who stormed the national assembly complex on May 21 to demand his replacement with an FCT native.

Those confirmed include Cosmas Akighir as chairman (Benue) and Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen as managing director (Plateau).

Other members of the board confirmed are Dauda Shuaibu Kigbu (Nasarawa), Zakari Haliru Jikantoro (Niger), Suleiman Baba Ali (Kogi), Rev. Bunmi Olusona (Kwara), Umar Ibrahim Mantu (Plateau), Atotse Abraham (Benue), Abdulkadir Usman (north-west), Habu Mamman (north-east), Atinuke Owolabi (south-west), Racheal Kufre Nse (south-south), and Boniface Izziogu (south-east).

Also confirmed were James Abel Uloko (executive director, Benue), Princess Atika Ajanah (executive director projects, Kogi), Bilqis Jimoke Sanni (executive director, Kwara), Aishatu Rujui Ibrahim (executive director, Nasarawa), and Muhammad Bashar (executive director, Niger).