Apparently embarrassed by the clumsy way the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA) boss, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, was removed from office, just days before resuming at the United Nations, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has written the UN, citing a lack of due process for the embarassment.
The SGF’s letter to the UN:
This is happening, on the same day the Ministry of Power still caused to be issued a statement explaining that the two female heads of the power agencies were sent packing for forming a cabal that was strangulating power delivery to Nigerians.
Many are at a loss how this is, and why such a statement should be issued at about the same time President Muhammadu Buhari was countermanding the Minister, and the Federal Government was writing to the UN, in a bid to make amends for the embarrassing suspension of Ogunbiyi.
Malice has been touted as the reason for the sack of the women, and there are fears that the Ministry could throw up further smear to embarrass the country as the days go by.
Recall that the Minister of Power, Mr. Sale Mamman, just before Christmas ordered the removal of Ogunbiyi and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), Marylyn Amobi, and subsequently announced a probe into their activities.
Explaining their sack, the minister in a statement by his Special Assistant, Aaron Artimas, said the women were sent home for being part of a group that held the power ministry hostage and made power delivery to Nigerians difficult.
Curiously, on the same day, a permanent secretary in the SGF’s office, another woman, Dr. Habiba Lawal, was signing a letter to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, another Nigerian woman, Ms. Amina Mohammed, appearing to apologise for the clumsiness of Ms. Ogunbiyi’s predicament.
“Mamman knows full well she was to take a UN job this year, after securing the appointment last October,” a source said, adding that Ogunbiyi was simply running her course until she resumed at the world stage as a Nigerian.
Apparently to fend off an international embarassment, the Presidency caused a release to be issued that the President had reversed her suspension, accepting her resignation letter so she could resume at the UN.
“Preesident Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the suspension of Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi from her role as Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency be reversed.
“Her resignation effective 31 December 2019 has been accepted to enable her take up her new UN appointment.”
The minister’s Monday statement reads:
“Many Nigerians are not unaware of the squabbling and unfortunate infighting affecting the two agencies as well as other alleged infractions.
“This obviously affected their performance in impacting the entire industry. No responsible leadership will tolerate such chaotic situation and expect success on the ultimate goal of improving power in the country.”
“As early as November last year, this cabal began to sponsor insidious reports using some faceless groups in Lagos, claiming that ‘the Ministry of Power was failing under the new minister.’
“It is the same ‘untouchables’ who want to perpetuate themselves in power that are now resisting any form of reorganisation meant to reposition the ministry for optimum performance.
“The ministry should not be tied down by individuals whose only concern is the retention of power at the expense of service delivery.”
But the last statement could not be farther from the truth since Ogunbiyi had indicated her interest in the UN job.
On October 29, 2019, the UN, in a statement titled Representative of the Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, announced Ogunbiyi’s appointment.
It reads in full: “United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Damilola Ogunbiyi of Nigeria as his Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy. The Secretary-General also welcomes the announcement by the Administrative Board of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) that Ms. Ogunbiyi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SEforALL.
“Ms. Ogunbiyi succeeds Rachel Kyte of the United Kingdom as Special Representative, Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy, and CEO of SEforALL. The Secretary-General expresses his gratitude to Ms. Kyte for her dedication and commitment to the United Nations, her achievements in accelerating universal energy access, and her leadership in advancing sustainable energy transition in the context of the Paris Agreement.
“Ms. Ogunbiyi brings extensive leadership experience and a track record of supporting energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa to these roles. She was the first woman to be appointed as Managing Director of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency. She is also responsible for implementing the Nigerian Off Grid Electrification Programme and successfully negotiating the Nigerian Electrification Project, to rapidly construct solar mini-grids and deploy solar home systems across Nigeria. She also developed the Energizing Economics Initiative and Energizing Education Programme, which provide sustainable and affordable off grid power solutions. Before joining the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ms. Ogunbiyi was the first woman to be appointed as the General Manager of the Lagos State Electricity Board, which is responsible for public lighting, independent power projects, and energy development serving millions of people across the State. Prior to this, she consulted for the United Kingdom Department for International Development on public-private partnerships.
“Ms. Ogunbiyi is a globally respected leader with a broad and diverse international network in the area of energy development, which includes key relationships with leading multilateral and bilateral partners and the private sector. She is also one of the Commissioners for the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty.
“The announcement comes as the world is about to enter the final decade to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. SEforALL is an international organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, that is dedicated to helping the world achieve SDG7 and Paris Agreement targets.
“SEforALL continues to have close ties to the United Nations through an existing relationship agreement, partnerships with United Nations agencies and Ms. Ogunbiyi’s roles as Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy.”
On the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforall) website, https://www.seforall.org/people/damilola-ogunbiyi, Ogunbiyi’s inaugural statement (in the video below) is posted.