President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked the chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, and replaced him
the former Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau.
Alhough no reason was given for Agwai’s sack except the need to revitalising agencies, pundits believe that of which is with immediate effect, pundits believe it might not be unconnected at his comments while presenting former President Olusegun Obasanjo 78 birthday lecture.
In his statement last week Thursday at the lecture, Agwai reportedly said ‘change was inevitable’.
In the lecture titled, “Imperatives of a National Security framework for the development and progress of Nigeria”, Gen. Agwai noted that “In life, you find out that everything needs change, if that is what the community wants, what the people want, you must give it to them and as such, it becomes inevitable.”
“You can have everything nice, but, if you don’t have the right leadership to propel it, it cannot go anywhere.
“Integrity matters, doing what is good for the larger society, and not just what you want to do for a narrow society to please yourself,” he said.
His statement was interpreted at some circles as being targeted at President Jonathan whose frosty relationship with former President Obasanjo is well known.
Announcing the sack of Gen. Agwai, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati in a statement said the action was in furtherance of president Jonathan’s “efforts to continuously re-energize and reposition agencies of the Federal Government for optimal service delivery”.
The statement reads in part: “Mr. Akau, whose appointment takes immediate effect, replaces Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) who served as Chairman of the SURE-P until today.
“The new SURE-P Chairman hails from Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and holds Bachelors’ Degrees in the Arts and Law.
“Mr. Akau comes to the job with years of experience as a high-level administrator in the nation’s public service. His record of service includes tenures as Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Education Board and Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission.
“President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Chairman of SURE-P, Gen Agwai for his service to the nation and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
