President Muhammadu Buhari has today approved the appointment of, Abubakar Fikpo as the acting Director General (DG) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) pending the appointment of a substantive one.
Recall Buhari on 10th December 2020 sacked Dr. Nasiru Argungu, as the DG of the NDE in a controversial manner when the DG had a disagreement with his Minister, Festus Keyamo over the 774,00 federal government jobs action, the Senate called on Buhari to rescind.
Against the advice of the National Assembly, President Buhari directed the Minister of Labour, Festus Keyamo to nominate an acting DG for the agency.
Today, the Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu announced that Buhari has approved the nomination made by Keyamo.
The statement titled, “President Buhari approves nomination of Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo as the acting DG of the National Directorate of Employment.”
“President Muhammadu Buhari has formally conveyed to the Hon. Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, his approval of the nomination of Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo as the Acting Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment pending the appointment of a substantive Director-General for the Agency, Shehu added.
The statement continued, “Last month, the President relieved the former DG of the agency of his appointment, and directed the Minister to nominate an Acting DG to superintend over the Agency pending the appointment of a substantive DG.”
Senator representing Jigawa East, Senatorial District, Ibrahim Hadeja raised a point of order at the floor of the hallowed chamber demanding Buhari to rescind his decision.
Hadeja argued that instead, Buhari should order a probe into the frosty relationship between the Minster and the DG saying the sack could delay the implementation of the policy on the 774,000 jobs.
The Senate unanimously agreed that instead of the instant sack, an investigation into the relationship between the two would have made things clear.
