By Prince Osuagwu

The Federal Government has named former Science and Technology

Isoun

Minister, Prof. Turner Isoun as the Chairman of Nigerian Communications Satellite, NigComSat Limited Board. The board which was inaugurated recently by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Lt. Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd) also has Mr Daudu Festus Yusufu Narai, Mr Adi Bernard Barau and Hasue Isah Mohammed as members.

Others on the board are Mr Wahab Kolawole Jimoh representing Science and Technology Ministry, Mr Munir Abiodun Alao representing Finance Ministry and NIGCOMSAT representatives Ahmed Rufai, Abimbola Alale and Olabode Oroge.

The NSA said the board members were carefully selected to meet with the challenges of the times, adding that they should live up to their billings.

At its maiden board meeting thereafter, Isoun, who midwifed NigComSat during his stint at the Science and Tech ministry, and gave the company, the statutes to operate, expressed satisfaction with the level of performance the Ahmed Rufai led management has so far produced with NigComSat, considering the short time it has existed.

He explained that “despite the set back of de-orbiting NigComSat_1, I am impressed with what Ahmed_Rufai has done within this short period especially bringing together a galaxy of stars from all over Nigeria to serve their fatherland .

“When the company was set up in April 2006, we didn’t anticipate this formidable growth but we are happy today with what you are doing especially in a cutting edge technology industry in which you are pioneers, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa”

Isoun, who served the Science and Technology Ministry from 2000_2007 said that the purpose of the board is to create checks and balances, because everybody has a role to play.

In his remarks, Rufai said that apart from the board providing direction, it will create good corporate governance for the company which adds up to quality service delivery

The company had an initial interim board of governors which was dissolved in conformity with the provisions of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 1990.

The new board has the responsibility to set policy and strategy for the company and report to the President through the Science and Technology Minister and the NSA.