…Nonyem Onyechi, assumes duty as acting EVC on Tuesday
By Hillary Asemota
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), on Thursday stated that Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, the most senior Director with the agency will assume duty on Tuesday in acting capacity as the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO, of the agency.
This squarely laid to rest the story making the rounds in some sections of the media that the former EVC, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, has not handed over to the next most senior officer as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buttressing the smooth transition in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information in the agency, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan, he said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Engr. Prof. M. S Haruna, had been the EVC of the agency for the past 10 years and when ever he was not in the office, he had always handed over the office to the Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development without any top management or staff complaining about her non suitability to act on behalf of the EVC/CEO. The facts are there.”
While also debunking the report circulating in some sections of the media, NASENI, urged the media to avoid sensational reports but to cross check with the agency before going to press especially regarding the issue concerning the directive to hand over the affairs of the agency to the next most senior officer as directed by the President Muhammadu Buhari.
NASENI reiterates: “The latest development of the need to hand over the affairs of the agency to the next most senior officer as directed by his Excellency did not any way create any friction amongst principal officers and top management of the agency.
“Not at all, rather everyone is eager to work with the coordinating Director Planning and Business Development, Onyechi, who is receiving everyone’s support to move the agency forward.
Ayeoyenikan, appealed to the media not to spread false information that is capable of overheating the system, adding that this is to allow the ongoing transformation efforts of the agency to deliver the goal of creating jobs and developing the Nigeria economy through technology advancement or innovation for the benefit of all.
The acting EVC/CEO, is regarded as a seasoned and astute civil servant with professional experience having transversed the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology for several years before moving to the agency.
Onyechi, is described in NASENI website as: “A person of proven integrity, transparency and accountability which earned her the highly coveted NASENI merit award as the best performing director in 2018.”She is known to be abreast and well grounded in the development of science, technology and innovation policies and have demonstrated satisfactory skills and best practices in its formulation and implementation of NASENI mandate, the website, added.