Baraje, APC chair, Olododo, 17 others set for Fed Board appointments

By Mumini AbdulKareem
Pending any last minute changes in the choice of the presidency, no fewer than 20 Kwara indigenes are set for appointments into federal boards and parastatals in the country, National Pilot exclusively gathered, last night.
The development is coming less than two months after the former chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Ladi Hassan was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja.
The new set of appointees, which cut across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, form part of the first badge of those already lined up for appointment by the Federal Government.
It was not clear the respective boards and parastatals some of the appointees will be heading.
But a highly reliable source who preferred to speak on the issue strictly on anonymity said some of the Kwara nominees will be appointed as board heads while others will be designated as members.
The source added that the announcement will likely be made two weeks from now.
Those reportedly on the highly confidential list include former Acting National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Hon. Ishola Balogun-Fulani, former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Cook Olododo and Senator Ahmed Ahmed.
Olododo and Senator Ahmed were recently reabsorbed into the ruling party after serving out their suspension for alleged anti-party activities.
But shortly after the expiration of the suspension, the former has since pledged his loyalty to Saraki and the dynasty in an online video that went viral in the state, adding that Saraki remains his leader.
Others include, Otunba Taiye Afolabi from Oyun, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Alhaji Saka Isau (SAN), Hon Nimota Ibrahim, who was a member of the 7th Assembly in the state and former commissioner for Education.
Also on the list are former Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Anthony Towoju and Kayode Olaosebikan (Irede), Hakeem Kayode Adebiyi from Offa and James Kolo from Edu among others.
According to the source, “In the next two weeks, the presidency will announce the new shortlisted names for federal boards and parastatals’ appointments.
“No fewer than 20 of them are coming from Kwara which will form part of the first batch on the list.
“All of them have been assigned portfolios and some will be serving as board chairmen while others will serve as members,” the source added.