BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – With about eleven months left of his four year tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari has relieved Engineer Mustapha Y. Maihaja of his position as the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
In his place, the President has appointed Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (rtd) as the new hand to run things at the Agency.
Interestingly, Maihaja’s four year tenure would have ended in April 2021, but competent sources hinted that with his tenure at NEMA reeking of controversies, allegations of corrupt practices, especially concerning the management of relief materials for disaster and emergency victims, the Presidency had to take urgent action by yanking him off the seat.
A statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), said “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (Rtd.) as the new Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)”.
According to the statement, signed on behalf of the SGF, Boss Mustapha by his Director of Information, Wilie Bassey, said the appointment took effect from Thursday, 30th April 2020, for an initial period of four (4) years in accordance with Section 3 of the National Emergency Management Agency Act.
It further said that; “The erstwhile Director General, Engr. Mustapha Y. Maihaja has been directed to handover all official matters to AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (Rtd.) immediately.
“The President thanked the out-gone Director-General for his services and charged the new appointee to serve with diligence and commitment”.
Inside sources confirmed that it has been turbulent times for the sacked NEMA Chief Executive given his strained relationship with the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe as well as scathing accusations from the House of Representatives that fingered him in what one of its Committees described as inefficiency, abusive of office and huge mismanagement of public resources in 2018
Unfortunately, Maihaja was indicted by a parliamentary committee set up to investigate the release of N5.9 billion Food Intervention in the North-east; N3.1 billion Food Intervention in the same region; release of N1.6 billion for Libyan returnees; release of N1.6 billion Flood Intervention for 16 states; and donation of 6,779 Metric Tons of rice by the Chinese Government among other accusations.
Meanwhile, information on the new man on NEMA’s hot seat, showed that retired AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed is an indigene of Maiduguri in Borno State. He was a former Chief of Policy and Plans at the Nigerian Airforce before his retirement.
Enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1981 and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1985, Muhammed did his primary and basic flying courses at 401 and 403 Flying Training Schools, Kaduna and Kano respectively.
The young officer subsequently completed Tactical Fighter Training at 117 Air Combat Tactical Group, Kainji and thereafter served as Military Assistant to the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Airways from January 21, 1997 to January 16, 1998.
He also served as Security Officer, Wing Chief Administration, Fleet Training Officer and Fleet Captain Air Force One (Boeing 737 BBJ) between January 26, 2000 to February 4, 2013 at the Presidential Air Fleet.
At Nigeria Airforce (NAF) Headquarters, he served as Deputy Director Policy, Director of Transformation and Chairman Air Exposition and International Liaison between 4 February 2013 to 8 January 2015.
The Senior Officer was also the Senior Air Staff Officer at the Headquarters Training Command, Managing Director of Nigerian Air Force Investments, Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command and Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command prior to his appointment as the Air Secretary.
He also has Limited Combat Rating and United States Federal Aviation Administration License as well as Nigerian Civil Aviation Air Transport License with 5,566 flying hours.
AVM Muhammed has flown several aircraft types including: Air Force One (B737 BBJ), Alpha Jet, Gulf Stream 550, Dassault Falcon 900, Citation Jet, L39 ZA and Bulldog 123.
The new NEMA Boss’ military decorations include: General Service Star, Pass Staff College and Fellow Defence College among others.
Muhammed, who holds BSc degree in Political Science and MSc degree in Strategic Studies, is married and blessed with five (5) children. His hobbies include reading, football and horse riding. – Additional reports from PR Nigeria
