Buhari's NCC Board Nominee With 1 Year Diploma As Highest Qualification In Row With Senators

Drama unfolding in the Senate Wednesday as the North-East nominee for appointment to the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aliyu Saidu Abubakar, called for the immediate scrapping of the upper chamber

During the screening, the committee listed what it described as “grave irregularities” in the personal records of the nominee.

The committee noted that it was curious that apart from birth certificate, there were only copies of court affidavit and police extract dated the same day, claiming loss of his credentials.

The committee noted that it appears the court affidavit and police extract were procured after Abubakar had been nominated to serve in the board.

The committee also said that it was interesting that the highest academic qualification of the nominee was a one-year “Diploma in Computer” from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.



It said that the attached statement of result was dated 23rd September 2016, also obtained after he had been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Requested to show reason why he chose to present documents that were procured shortly after his nomination and also why he believed that he was qualified to function as a National Commissioner in such a critical agency like NCC given the rigours, challenges and required expertise for efficiency of the commission, Abubakar said that he “did not bother to go for the credentials.”

He explained further that he “only went to school merely for knowledge having been self-employed prior to the nomination.”

The NCC chairman-designate, Senator Bisi Durojaiye expressed concern over the public perception of the Senate.

Durojaiye noted that as former Senator who also headed the Committee on Communications he was committed and passionate for a very strong Senate that grows in leaps and bound.

He said, “Please permit me to convey a message from the oldest living former Senator Chief Reuben Farosanti who just clocked 91. Although I have presented it to the Senate President, Senator Farosanti had requested for a closed door session between the current Senate and the old generation to discuss. Considering the heat from the other side this has become imperative….”

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, urged the nominees to seek to add value to the regulatory agency and ensure that Nigerian masses truly got the greatest benefits of their appointment if they scale through.

Nnaji said that the committee would make its report to the plenary for approval and confirmation.