75-year-old Ibrahim Gambari becomes Buhari’s new CoS

 

BY OUR REPORTER

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Wednesday formally presented former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, as the new Chief of Staff to the President.

He presented Gambari to members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

News of Gambari’s appointment had filtered into the media in a very uncoordinated manner with some traditional media and online platforms reporting the development. The news was further muddled up with one of the presidential spokesmen, Garba Shehu, saying he had not been briefed and failing to confirm the news.

However, the SGF shortly before the commencement of the meeting of the FEC Wednesday, confirmed that Buhari approved the appointment of Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President.

Gambari, who was Buhari’s External Affairs Minister and confidant as military Head of State in the 1980’s, replaced Malam Abba Kyari, who died last month of COVID-19.

NAN reports that the new Chief of Staff has since resumed work where he is currently participating in the maiden virtual meeting of the FEC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

A minute silence was observed in honour of three former ministers, namely; Richard Akinjide from Oyo State, Halilu Alhassan (Sokoto) and Paul Wanpana (Adamawa) as well as Kyari, who died recently.

Gambari, an Ilorin prince, served as minister of External Affairs between 1984 and 1985.

READ: Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Buhari, dies of COVID-19

He was appointed by former United Nations Secretary, Ban Ki-moon and the chairperson of the African Union Commission as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur in 2010.

He also served as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the UN Secretary General.

Gambari has also served as Under-Secretary General of the United Nation for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA).

President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and about seven ministers were physically present at the Council Chamber for the maiden virtual meeting of the Council.

The Ministers in attendance included that of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono. Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Others at the Council Chamber were the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamma; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo as well as the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Mungonu.

Other members of the FEC participated in the meeting directly from their respective offices.