An Akwa Ibom man is among the three Directors-General/Chief Executive Officers of the three agencies under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He is Prof. (Engr.) Linus Okon Asuquo, appointed as the Director-General/CEO for the National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos with effect from July 12, 2018 for initial period of four years.
Asuquo is a one-time state Commissioner for Science and Technology during the Victor Attah administration. Until his appointment, he was dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo.
Born 64 years ago in Mbak Itam III in Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State, he is a holder of an M.SC degree with distinction in Metallurgical engineering from Technical University, Kosice, Czechoslovakia in 1982.
In 1990, he obtained his Ph.D in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Anambra State University of Technology, Enugu. He was Research Fellow in South Dakota University of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, USA.
A statement by Olusegun A. Adekunle, Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced the three appointments.
Another appointment was Engr. Umar Albarka Hassan as Director-General/ CEO of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), Kaduna for initial period of four years, with effect from July 12, 2018.
Prof. (Engr.) Suleiman Bolaji Hassan was appointed as the Director-General/ CEO for Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, for initial period of four years, with effect from July 12, 2018.
In the statement, President enjoined the new appointees to use their expertise and varied experiences to reposition and reinvigorate the agencies.
Buhari charged them to discharge their duties with utmost rectitude and sensitivity to Government’s commitment to enhancing mining and steel sector as a major driver of the Administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
