Regina Otokpa 
A group, the Advocates of Justice in Africa (AJA) has said the recent appointments of Mohammed Mohammed as Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Adeola Ajayias Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), was proof President Bola Tinubu was committed to revamping the secret police and intelligence agency.
Commending what they described as a bold step, the group noted that President Tinubu has has succeeded in sending a strong message that he was willing to make tough choices to address the nation’s security challenges.
A statement signed by Barrister Johnson Usman, the group said Mohammed’s experience and dedication make him an excellent choice as DG of the NIA, while Ajayi’s rise through the ranks and wealth of experience make him an ideal candidate as DG of the DSS.
He said: “Mohammed, who joined the NIA in 1995, has served in various roles, culminating in his promotion to Director and subsequent appointment as head of the Nigerian mission to Libya.
“His vast experience and commitment to service make him an excellent choice to lead the NIA. Ajayi rose through the ranks to attain his current post of Assistant Director-General of the Service, serving as State Director in various states. His dedication and leadership qualities make him an ideal candidate to head the DSS.
“This move demonstrates his commitment to reforming critical institutions and ensuring they serve the nation’s best interests.
“President Tinubu’s decision to appoint new heads for the DSS and NIA is a step in the right direction. It shows that he is committed to addressing the nation’s security challenges and ensuring that critical institutions are led by capable hands.”
However, the group urged President Tinubu to extend this sanitization to the oil and gas sector by replacing the heads of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
While noting that the sector’s inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement have led to billions of dollars lost to fraudulent activities, the group.cited the sector’s failure to effectively manage resources, lack of transparency and accountability, and widespread corruption as reasons for the urgent need for new leadership.
