Exclusive Report by Technology Times Staff Writers
Lagos. April 8, 2013: Ubale Ahmed Shehu Maska, an Engineer and currently Head of Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to replace Bashir Gwandu, who was recently sacked, on the Board of the telecoms regulatory agency.
Technology Times has learnt exclusively that barring any last minute change, Maska will soon be replacing Gwandu whose sack from the Board of Commissioners of NCC and service in the telecoms regulatory agency was recently approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.
This comes just as indications have also emerged that Funso Fayomi, the ex-Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), who was moved to head the Projects Department of NCC in the wake of a mild shakeup in 2011 is retiring from the telecoms regulatory agency.
On the other hand, Fayomi, who is mostly remembered as the influential Secretary of USPF, the Fund set up to deepen ICT penetration in rural and underserved areas in the country.
The decision to replace Gwandu with Maska is part of the deft strategy underway to reflect geopolitical balancing on the Board of Commissioners which currently has eight members including Eugene Juwah, who is currently the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC
The Board chaired by Peter Egbe Igoh, a former Director in the Public Service.
Over the next few days communications have been making the rounds within government circles to facilitate the appointment of Maska, who is expected to join the Board in the next few days.
The process will be rounded off with an impending confirmation of Maska by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the final lap of the procedure stipulated for appointment of Board members of NCC; people conversant with the situation have told Technology Times.
While there may have been lobbying to fill Gwandu’s place since his ouster from NCC, it is believed that the leadership of the telecoms regulatory agency opted for Maska because of his long experience in the telecoms regulatory agency, geopolitical considerations and need to ensure that Northern interest is taken care of in the composition of the Board.
The Board currently has an 8-man with Peter Egbe Igoh, who is a native of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, functioning as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the telecoms regulator.
On the other hand, Eugene Juwah, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC who was confirmed by the Senate on July 29, 2010 is from Delta State.
Okechukwu Itanyi who serves as Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) and was appointed on July 29, 2010 is from Enugu State and was also former Deputy Governor of Enugu State.
Mohammed Mustapha Bintube, who is from Borno State, was confirmed by the Senate on July 29, 2010.
Michael Ebie Onyia, who was appointed June 6, 2006, is from Enugu State.
Dominic Nwator, who is the Commissioner representing South-South on the board of NCC was confirmed by the Senate on January 11, 2012. He is an indigene of Eleme in Rivers State.
Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, who was appointed December 13, 2011, is from Kaduna State.
Biodun Olujimi, the only woman on the Board who was appointed on December 13, 2011 is from Ekiti State and was former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State.
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