Hours after his dethronement as the Emir of Kano, the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufai has appointed Muhammadu Sanusi II into the board of the state Investment Promotion Agency, KADIPA. READ ALSO: Dethronement: Sanusi Calls For Support For New Emir
According to a statement released by the Governor’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye: “the appointment is part of the reconstitution of the board of KADIPA, which is statutorily chaired by the Deputy Governor, and has as internal members, other senior officials of the Kaduna State Government.”
The statement further read: “Kaduna State hopes to benefit from the profile, experience, intellect and networks of His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi, who before becoming Emir, had built a solid reputation in global financial circles.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai said that Kaduna State is honoured to be able to call on the services of a man of such calibre to drive its development,’’ the statement added in parts.
The statement also revealed that while Sanusi will be the Vice-Chairman, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, will chair the board.
Other members of the board include the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Mr Jimi Lawal; and the Attorney General of the state, Aisha Dikko.
Other members of the board include the Head of Service, Hajiya Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed; the Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Idris Nyam; Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Fausat Ibikunle, and Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Thomas Gyang.
The rest are the Director-General of Kaduna Geographic Information System, KADGIS, Altine Jibrin, the Managing Director of Kaduna Market Development and Management Company, Muhammad Hafiz Bayero, Farida Dankaka, and the Executive Secretary of KADIPA, Umma Aboki.
According to the statement released on the occasion of the appointment, it was revealed that: “The Governor also said that he is confident that the new board, which contains the most senior officers of the state will further propel KADIPA to greater success in attracting investments to Kaduna State,” the statement read in part.
It also disclosed that the government carefully chose the external members to further reinforce the investment credentials of the state.
“El-Rufai has expressed his gratitude to members of the reconstituted board of KADIPA for agreeing to serve.”
Recall that Sanusi’s removal as the Emir of Kano followed allegations of insubordination levelled against him by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led government.