Lado Leads Rivers Presidential Nominees to Senate Ad-hoc Screening for Strategic State Roles.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant move that also strategic to reshape governance in Rivers State, Senator Basheer Garba Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, led a team of presidential nominees to the National Assembly for screening before Senate Ad-hoc Committees.
In a statement signed by Iyogun Sunday, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, said the nominees were individuals “carefully selected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to strengthen strategic state institutions and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda in Rivers State.”
The nominees, drawn from a broad spectrum of professional backgrounds, are slated for leadership roles in four critical state institutions: the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the Local Government Service Commission, and the Primary Health Care Management Board.
“These nominees represent a strong blend of experience, integrity, and professional excellence,” Senator Lado said during the presentation. “Their appointment is a testament to Mr. President’s commitment to inclusive governance and institutional reform.”
The nomination of 32 individuals marks what officials are calling a strategic shift in subnational governance—intended to deepen democratic practices, professionalize service delivery, and restore public trust in state institutions.
Prominent among the nominees are:
Dr. Barikor Livinus Baribuma is nominated as Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission—signaling a technocratic approach to civil service reform.
Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey is to head RSIEC, reinforcing the administration’s stance on credible, transparent elections, while Mr. Israel N. Amadi, a seasoned public administrator, is nominated to lead the Local Government Service Commission, with a mandate to reinvigorate grassroots governance. Also on the list are, Dr. Dawari George is nominated to lead the Primary Health Care Management Board, emphasizing the administration’s renewed focus on primary healthcare delivery.
Each of these bodies plays a pivotal role in public sector efficiency, democratic integrity, and community well-being.
Members of the Senate Ad-hoc Committees pledged a “fair, transparent, and competence-driven screening process,” aligned with constitutional mandates. Senate insiders indicated that nominees would be scrutinized for their track records, ethical standards, and alignment with national development goals.
Observers view the development as a clear signal of the Tinubu administration’s readiness to extend institutional reform beyond the federal level, with Rivers State positioned as a model of transformation.
A New Chapter for Rivers
“This is not just about appointments. It’s about transformation,” Senator Lado emphasized. “It’s about laying the groundwork for governance that empowers citizens, accelerates development, and reinforces democratic principles.”
As the screening continues, Rivers State anticipates a new phase of leadership anchored on professionalism, accountability, and service to the people.
