Just In: Tinubu Makes New Appointment Amid Ministers' Resignations
- President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Patience Okala as the new national coordinator of the AfCFTA Coordination Office
- The presidency announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, March 31, adding that the appointment was with immediate effect
- Tinubu's approval of Okala's appointment came amid the gale of resignations of members of his cabinet, who are resigning to pursue political ambition
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Patience Okala as the new national coordinator of Nigeria's African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office. According to a statement from the presidency, the appointment of Okala immediate effect.
The statement from the office of the presidency explained that the new appointee is a seasoned trade and investment expert, with experience cutting across covering international negotiations and economic policy.
Source: Twitter
Who is Patience Okala?
Before her appointment, Okala was a director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). She led the engagement of Nigeria on bilateral investment agreements and negotiations across platforms, which included ICSID, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA, UNCTAD, IISD, and the OECD.
She had earlier served as an expert adviser to the AfCDTA secretariat in Accra (2023-2023) and special adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. She played an important role in strengthening the AfCFTA institutional framework in Nigeria, including the oversight of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee and supporting Nigeria’s emergence as Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade.
In her new role, she will be overseeing the local implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, driving Nigeria’s strategic positioning and coordinating national stakeholder engagement within the continental trade investment.
Two Tinubu's ministers resign
This appointment came amid the resignation of members of Tinubu's cabinet, including ministers, in pursuit of their political ambitions. At least two ministers resigned from Tinubu's cabinet on Tuesday, March 31. The ministers are Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sa'idu Ahmed Alkali, the Minister of Transportation.
While Tuggar was said to be pursuing a governorship ambition in Bauchi state, Sa'idu Ahmed Alkali was said to be pursuing the number one seat of power in Gombe state.
The resignation followed the president's directive that all political appointees seeking elective positions in the 2027 general election should resign on or before March 31, as stated in Nigeria's electoral law.
Nigerians react as Tinubu makes an appointment
Meanwhile, the appointment of Okala has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
Johanna congratulated the appointee:
"Congratulations, Patience! She will serve the nation well. One of the most competent public officials when it comes to the implementation of the AfCFTA."
Source: Twitter
PWeezy commended the appointment:
"Wish you the best. I hope she’s serving our national interest and not the Epstein class. Our leaders need to prioritise our national interest. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Opeyemi Abebe congratulated Okala:
"Congratulations, Ms Okala. All the best to you in your new role."
Adegbite Azeez wrote:
"Wonderful appointment."
Read the full statement from the presidency on X here:
APGA endorses Tinubu for second term
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu's second-term bid received a boost ahead of the 2027 presidential election as APGA announced him as its preferred candidate in the poll.
Sly Ezeokenwa, the national chairman of APGA, announced the development during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, March 5.
Ezeokenwa's declaration came barely one year after Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra and the leader of the party declared his support and that of APGA for President Tinubu.
Source: Legit.ng
