We cannot rest until we see improvement of the electoral processes in Nigeria — Zakari, new INEC boss
Following her appointment, Tuesday, by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari has pledged to continue to work towards the improvement of the electoral process.
It would be recalled that President Buhari, late Tuesday appointed Zakari as Acting Chair of INEC following the exit of Professor Attahiru Jega who finished his five-year tour of duty as Chairman of the Commission Tuesday.
Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, who conveyed the appointment to Mrs Zakari said through his Director of Communications, Haruna Imrana, that the appointment was with immediate effect and that it would remain in force pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman for the Commission.
Accepting her new appointment at a brief handover ceremony, held at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, Wednesday morning, Zakari, who becomes the first fmale to occupy that position, said: “I accept this with humility and added dedication to serve. We hope to see the continued improvement of the electoral processes in the country,” she said
Amina B. Zakari maintained that the successes achieved under the leadership of the immediate past Chairman of the Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, must be consolidated.
While praying for God’s guidance to lead the Commission until a new Commission is constituted, the Acting INEC Chairperson stressed further that: “We cannot rest on our oars until we deliver on that premise.”
Earlier Ambassador Mohammed Ahmad Wali, who acted in that capacity for barely six hours, said it was his pleasure to hand over the affairs of the Commission to Hajiya Amina Zakari, having taken over the affairs of INEC Tuesday afternoon when it was handed over to him by past Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.
He assured Zakari of his unwavering support, saying: “If she succeeds, we all succeed; if she fails, we all fail.” He pointed out that the Commission has always, and will, continue to work in harmony to promote the interest of democracy and the electoral process.
Amina Bala Zakari, a Pharmacist by profession hails from Jigawa State. She completed her Secondary Education from the prestigious Queens College Yaba, Lagos. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) Degree in Pharmacy with Second Class Upper (Best Graduating Student) in 1980 from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
After completing the National Youth Service Corps, she worked as a professional Pharmacist in various hospitals from 1983 – 1996. She then moved into the consultancy field to serve in various capacities as a consultant in Health and Social Services from 1997 up till her appointment as National Commissioner, INEC. She has also served as a Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was posted to FCT where she served as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Social Development and Agriculture and Rural Development from 2004 – 2007.
Her Consultancy services covered Federal MDAs (FMWH, NAFDAC, NPHCDA and others) MDGs and the Private Sector.
Amina Bala Zakari is a registered Pharmacist and Member Pharmacist’s Society of Nigeria as well as Member of Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM).
Other qualifications obtained include: Certificate in Managing Drugs Supply for Primary Health Care from MHS Amsterdam in 1997, Certificate in Project Management 1998, Certificate in Senior Management from the Crown Agents London in 2005 Certificate in Executive Education in Business Management from Harvard Business School.
