Ajumogobia elected chairman of Reconciliation Programme advisory committee

The advisory committee was inaugurated on September 24.

Abuja, Nigeria. Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Odein Ajumogobia has been elected chairman of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP). This was at the inauguration of the committee on Thursday 24 September, 2013 in Abuja.

NSRP is a DFID funded programme that is committed to supporting Nigerian efforts in reducing violent conflict so that wealth creation can be harnessed. The National Advisory Committee of the NSRP is made up of prominent Nigerians committed to the work of the Programme. Members have been drawn from civil society organizations, relevant government agencies working on peace and conflict resolution and advocacy, religious and key community leaders.

Apart from Chief Ajumogobia, who is a well-respected lawyer, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, wife of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mustapha Uwais, was also elected vice-chairman of the committee. Other members of the committee include: Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; his Lordship Mathew Hassan Kukah, former governor of Kaduna state; Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Special Adviser to the President on research and strategy; Chief Oronto Douglas, Dr. Kole Shettima, Mrs. Oby Nwankwo among other institutional representatives.

Commenting on this development, NSRP’s deputy programme manager, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo expressed happiness at the development. ‘I am quite pleased and excited with this progress. Their passion and commitment to our cause is very encouraging and I know that we will work well towards achieving a more stable Nigeria and ensuring that Nigerians are resolving conflicts non-violently,” he said.

Speaking on his election and the work of the committee, Chief Ajumogobia said:” ‘I acknowledge the confidence this committee has reposed in me and I believe that with your support and that of NSRP, the vice-chairperson and I will discharge our duties very well. What is more important to us is a more peaceful Nigeria.”

Part of the mandate of the committee is to help ensure a smooth working relationship between the NSRP and various government agencies with which the Programme has to work in delivering its mandate in Nigeria. The committee is also to provide advice to the management of NSRP especially in critical issues.

Membership of the committee reflects representation from the focal states where NSRP is delivering its work which include Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Rivers and Yobe State.

About NSRP

The Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) aims to reduce violent conflict in Nigeria. The programme provides support to Nigerian stakeholders to better manage conflict resulting in wealth creation, service delivery and poverty reduction. The programme is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented by a British Council led consortium. Other members of the consortium include International Alert and Social Development Direct. Programme implementation will be over a period of five years.