By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Group (CNYDG) has joined well meaning Nigerians to strongly condemn the unjustifiable protest by a group known as Lawyers for Justice Reform against the appointment of Hon. Stella Okotete as Executive Director (Business Development) Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM).
The group in a statement by the President, Tams Brinemugha, says that Honourable Okotete is a graduate of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City and holder of Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, as well as a Diploma in Law from the Rivers Sate College of Arts and Sciences.
“This action has become necessary following an emergency and enlarged Council meeting at Bayelsa House, Abuja, Tuesday December 6, 2022, to holistically review the allegation of the Lawyer Group”.
The statement reads, “For the benefit of any doubt whatsoever, we want to state unequivocally that the appointment of Hon .Stella Okotete, an apostle of due process and transparency by His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari on the 20th of April, 2017 followed due process in line with the provision of section 8 (3) of NEXIM establishment Act, which provides for a Managing Director, two Executive Directors and two Non-Executive Directors, does not lay out qualification for Executive Directors, one of which is being occupied by Hon. Stella Okotete”.
“It is very pertinent to note that we strongly frown against this ugly and unnecessary development by the protesting group. It is on good record that since emergence in office as Executive Director of NEXIM Bank , Hon. Stella Okotete has through her pragmatism given room to fresh ideas and strategies that have so far brought growth in profitability and drastic reduction of non performing loans as well as providing support for top institutions to go digital, as part of efforts to actualize the visionary policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari led Administration in Financial Prudence and the Federal Government digitalization policy respectively.
The CNDYG accordingly reiterates its commitment and support to Hon. Stella Okotete’s for her steadfastness, determination, doggedness and relentless efforts in discharge of her assigned task with remarkable achievements so far in line with the core mandate of NEXIM.
The group said, “She has no doubt exemplified capacity leadership with no stone left unturned towards the proper revitalization of the banking institution against all odds. “There is no question about the fact that her emergence as Executive Director was truly a call for assiduous service.
“Consequently, this calls for serious concern over the legally untenable protest against her current appointment, despite the indisputable fact that she has shown capacity in various assignments from time immemorial. We therefore implore the protesting group having realized the true position of the Law on the appointment vis-à-vis NEXIM Establishment Act to humbly sheathe their swords and work in close harmony with the entire Management of NEXIM Bank in related areas of interest that would fast track and add value to the growth and development of the Financial Institution”, Tams Brinemugha assured.
