Mixed reactions trail Nnaji’s nomination as minister

BY Tony Edike
ENUGU— THE nomination of Prof. Barth Nnaji by President Goodluck Jonathan as minister-designate has continued to generate mixed reactions from various groups in the Eastern part of the country.

While a pressure group, Nkanu Unity and Development Initiative, hailed the nomination of Nnaji, who is being tipped to head the Power Ministry, the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Eastern zone, said it was opposed to his appointment.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Afamefuna Ugwu, the Nkanu group said the appointment of Nnaji, who hails from Nkanuland, had given their people a sense of belonging, given the massive support the people gave the President in the last election.

The group praised the wisdom and courage shown by the President in nominating Nnaji, saying it was a reflection of the President’s visionary leadership and determination to place merit above parochial interest and consideration.

It noted that Nnaji’s headship of the Power Ministry would amount to placing a round peg in a round hole, as it would go a long way to addressing “the perennial problem of electricity and near comatose state of our economy, since no nation can develop without adequate supply of electricity.

“Energy is the life wire for all industrial and mechanised agricultural growth.”

The group, however, appealed to the Senate to clear him so he can settle down to business. They said: “He is a proven hand, having been a former Minister of Science and Technology; Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power; and Special Adviser to the President on Power.”