Buhari approves appointment of Ogbonnaya Orji as NEITI boss

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointment of Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji as the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, for a single term of five years.

A statement by the Director Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey on Thursday said the nomination was “in accordance with the provision of Section 12 (2) (a) and 6 (3) of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Establishment) Act, 2007.

He said, “The appointment takes effect from February 19 2021. Until the appointment, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji was the agency’s Director of Communications and Advocacy.

“He began his career at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and also worked with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where Orji managed several donor-funded projects. He holds MSc degree and PhD in Political Economy and International Development from the University of Abuja.

“NEITI was established in 2004 as the key anti-corruption agency at the Presidency responsible for enthroning transparency, accountability and governance of the country’s oil, gas and mining industries.

“Mr President enjoins the new appointee to serve the nation with all sense of responsibility, honesty, diligence and promote good governance in the discharge of his duties.”

Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, was born March 11, 1963. He is a well-known Nigerian broadcaster, journalist, political economist and development communication specialist.

Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji

He sits on the Editorial Board of Aro News, a leading community news channel of the Aros, south east Nigeria. Orji writes its popular column “Amaikpe”.

Orji Ogbonnaya Orji attended Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu where he graduated with a certificate in Mass communication.

He holds MSc degree and PhD in Political Economy and International Development from the University of Abuja.

Orji Ogbonnaya Orji also attended the Senior Executive Fellows program on public policy and communication at J.F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

He is married to Dr (Mrs) Esther Ogbonnaya with three children.