The Federal Government on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, appointed Abubakar Fikpo as the acting Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE.
This followed the sacking of the erstwhile DG of the agency, Nasiru Argungu, on Tuesday.
He was believed to have been relieved of his appointment over the delayed take-off of the 774,000 Special Public Works meant for unskilled workers.
The kick-off date for the programme has been postponed about thrice with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), keeping mute over the development.
Announcing Fikpo’s appointment in a letter dated December 08, 2020, titled, ‘Appointment as Acting Director-General of National Directorate of Employment,’ the government said it takes effect from December 7, 2020.
A statement from the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, noted that the development was to ensure there was no vacuum in running the affairs of the agency.
“Following the directive of Mr President relieving Dr Nasiru Mohammed Ladan Argungu as the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, you are hereby directed to take over as the acting Director-General of the Agency pending ratification by Mr President. This is to ensure there is no vacuum in the administration of the Agency,” the letter to Fikpo partly read, according to the statement.
Until his appointment, Fikpo was the Zonal Director at the North West zonal office of the NDE in Kaduna.
He hails from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics from the University of Maiduguri and a Master of Science degree in the same field from the University of Ibadan.
He had also served in various capacities including as State Coordinator, Adamawa State; pioneer Director of Procurement as well as Director, Finance and Accounts.
Keyamo, while urging Argungu to properly handover government properties in his possession to his successor, enjoined the acting DG to ensure a smooth and efficient running of the agency.
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