The presidency has stated that
the newly-appointed Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA),
Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, is “perfect for the job”.
SSAP to President Buhari on Media
& Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this Friday evening when presidential aides
and State House staff members held a send-off for Abubakar.
Shehu said it was regrettable
that the new DG of NIA had been maligned by critics and a section of the media
following his appointment.
”Ahmed Rufai Abubakar is a
perfect fit who is most qualified for the job. He has occupied various top
public offices in the agency in the course of which he received several awards.
He left voluntarily to go to the United Nations as a Director.
”When he retired, he was
appointed as a senior adviser in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)
regional coalition of countries for the fight against Boko Haram and other
trans-border security threats in the region. There is no doubt at all as to Mr.
Abubakar’s qualifications for the job and that is what is most important,” he
said.
Speaking, Chief of Staff, Abba
Kyari, described the erstwhile aide as ”a patriot, intelligent and consummate
gentleman”.
“I met him for the first time in
this office after my appointment as Chief of Staff.
“I do not think his elevation
will deny us the opportunity of still working together. During his stay here,
he distinguished himself as a patriot and he brought his wealth of experience
in working with international organisations to bear on his work.
“At any given time, even at late
hours, Abubakar was always ready to give his best. He was committed,” he said.
Also speaking, State Chief of
Protocol, Amb. Lawal Kazaure, advised the former presidential aide to surround
himself with the ‘‘right advisers.’’
”Do not have people who tell you
what you want to hear around you but those who will tell you the truth
dispassionately,” Kazaure said.
Responding, the new DG NIA said:
“I am emotion-laden for so many reasons and I thank you for what you have said
about me. The best I could have done in my life is to serve the President and
the nation.”
Abubakar, until his appointment,
was a Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Foreign
Affairs/International Relations, in the office of the Chief of Staff.
Meanwhile, a civil society group,
“Concerned Nigerians” has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari to the Federal
High Court in Abuja over the appointment of Abubakar.
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