Sanusi: El-Rufai, Ganduje split

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has demonstrated where he stands by appointing deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi as vice chairman of Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), a major break with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The appointment comes hours after the Emir, a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria was deposed and banished to Nasarawa State by the government of APC colleague Abdullahi Ganduje.

Sanusi and El-Rufai are close friends, as he was also present at El-Rufai’s birthday in Kaduna on 16 February.

A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House said that, “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.”

“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.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Governor, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, said that “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.

The statement which said that El-Rufai has approved the reconstitution of the board of KADIPA, further said that the agency was established in 2015, and has led the investment drive of the state and anchored implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Charter that earned Kaduna State recognition as the Number One place for doing business in Nigeria.

According to the statement, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe will chair the board while His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II will be Vice-Chairman.

Other members of the board include Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Jimi Lawal, Senior Adviser and Counsellor and Aisha Dikko, the Attorney General of Kaduna State.

The KADIPA board also includes the Head of Service, Hajiya Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed, Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Idris Nyam, Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Fausat Ibikunle and Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Thomas Gyang.

Other board members are the Director-General of Kaduna Geographic Information System(KADGIS), Altine Jibrin, Muhammad Hafiz Bayero, the Managing Director of Kaduna Market Development and Management Company, Farida Dankaka and Umma Aboki, the Executive Secretary of KADIPA.

“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.”

According to the statement, 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”, Adekeye said.