Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Why Ahmed-Rufia was sacked



Leading to the appointment of Ms Abimbola Alale as the acting managing director of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd, investigations have revealed some of the reasons for the sacking of former MD, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

According to investigations by DigitalSENSE Business News Mr. Ahmed-Rufai’s sack was not unconnected from misappropriation of funds of the organisation.

Although the head, Corporate Communications, NigComSAT, Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore could not dispute correspondent findings, he maintained that the decision to send Mr. Ahmed-Rufia on indefinite leave, was to pave the way for investigations as directed by the Communications Technology Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson.

He pointed out that based on this directive, the Board of Directors of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd had asked the embattled Managing Director, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai to proceed on indefinite leave.

“This directive is to pave way for an investigation into the financial status of the company,” he told 

Accordingly, Ms Abimbola Alale, the Executive Director in charge of Marketing, was named Acting Managing Director, pending the conclusion of the investigation, which industry watchers said is terminal leave for hard-standing former managing director.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that in recent times, Mr. Ahmed-Rufai has had a running battle with the supervising ministry on what was alleged as reckless spending and utterance from the former NigComSAT boss, which is in contrast with his position.

Ahmed-Rufai is purported to have extensive experience in both private and public sectors started as Project Manager of NigComSat-1 before the establishment of NIGCOMSAT Limited in April 2006, when he was named Managing Director and Chief Executive.


Equally, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that Ms Alale began her career in NigComSAT as a member of the Project team and was appointed Director of Marketing of NIGCOMSAT Limited in 2006 and rose to the position of Executive Director Marketing until her current appointment as Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Remmy Nweke
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Ahmed-Rufai

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