By Daniel Idonor
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Thursday approved the  appointment of Engr. Emmanuel Egbagbe as Senior Special Assistant on Infrastructure Development Matters.

The president also appointed Alhaji Saidu Yusuf Dutsi as Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters.

The appointments were contained in a statement by Mr Ima Niboro, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity).

Mr. Egbagbe holds a Masters of Sciences Degree in Water Resources Systems Engineering from the University of California and was the best graduating student of Civil Engineering at the University of Lagos in 1977.

Both  appointments, which take effect from January 1, 2011, are to fill vacancies created by the appointment of Mr. Femi Ajayi (former SSA to the President on Social Development) as Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the death of Senator Polycarp Nwite (former SSA to the President on Political Matters).

President Jonathan has also accepted the resignation of his Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Timi Alaibe.

Mr. Alaibe had informed the president in a letter that he will be resigning his appointment with effect from tomorrow to contest for the governorship of Bayelsa State in the 2011 general elections.