Tinubu inaugurates new NEITI board members
Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the 6th National Stakeholders Working Group, also known as the Governing Board of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
In his inauguration speech, Tuesday Tinubu expressed pride in the carefully selected 15-member committee, highlighting their diverse competencies, skills, knowledge, integrity, and track record of service in previous assignments.
The president was represented by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who also chairs the new NEITI Board.
Tinubu emphasized that prudent management of Nigeria’s resources was central to this administration’s economic agenda and anti-corruption policies.
Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to putting the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards and principles into practice within its borders.
He stated that in order for the nation to attain economic growth and development in the sector, NEITI had shown a high level of competence, integrity, and devotion to the ideals that were necessary.
The president went on to say that the effort was made possible by the accessibility of trustworthy data and information needed for national planning and reforms.
“As members of this board, your job is clearly and specifically evolving strategic policy direction and oversight that supports NEITI management and the secretariat to continue to implement its activities smoothly without any distractions or interference.
“It is also very important that the board supports NEITI to preserve its corporate values, remain focused and committed to its values of transparency and accountability for the benefit of all of us present here today and our future generations,” he said, according to a report published by News Agency of Nigeria.
Addressing the Board shortly after the inauguration, Akume said his appointment demonstrated the federal government’s prompt response to the recent EITI assessment of Nigeria’s implementation of the initiative which stressed the urgent need to reconstitute NEITI’s Board to avoid sanctions.
