23rd July, 2019
PRESS RELEASE:
MINISTERIAL LIST: MURIC CONGRATULATES PANTAMI
President Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon submitted to the Nigerian Senate a list of his ministerial nominees containing 43 names.
In its initial reaction, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the list as water-tight. The human rights group congratulated the nominees but singled out Dr. Isa Ali Pantami for encomiums.
“This is a water-tight ministerial list. It is the product of political ingenuity. We felicitate with all the nominees. In particular, we rejoice with Dr. Isa Khalifah Pantami. We know him as a special breed and a performer nulli secundus.
“We are particularly pleased with the nomination of Isa Pantami because he is a cerebral Islamic cum Infotech scholar. This is a rare combination. A former product of the Federal University of Technology, Pantami is the current Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
“We have no doubt that his excellent performance at the NITDA gave rise to his nomination as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are equally certain that Pantami’s educational background, particularly his training as a pupil at the Tsangaya Traditional School where he spent four years learning the Qur’an, prepared him morally and spiritually for the challenges of office.
“With a first degree and an MSc in computer science plus an MBA in Technology Management, Pantami was all set for launch as an infotech guru. His PhD in Computer Information Systems from the prestigious Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland and another Post Graduate Certificate in Research Method in the United Kingdom are the icing on the cake. Indeed, Pantami is a rare gift to the Nigerian nation.
“A seasoned academic, Pantami lectured for more than a decade at the Federal University of Technology, Bauchi where he got his first degree ab initio. An erudite scholar of international repute, he was an Associate Professor at the University of Madinah. His academic and professional tentacles pulled strings in globally recognized centers of excellence such as Havard, Cambridge and Switzerland.
“A prolific writer, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has authored more than twelve books and published articles in reputable local and international academic journals. He has also travelled far and wide. As expected from a man with this rich experience and deep knowledge, he has impacted positively on the Nigerian IT industry since he became the head of NITDA.
“As we take a break, MURIC commends President Muhammadu Buhari for fishing out this great Nigerian for a ministerial post. Here is an erudite scholar and distinguished IT professional who has earned the highest recognition in the global Infotech industry as well as numerous local and international awards in recognition of his outstanding professionalism and personal integrity. While most great men are hardly celebrated at home, Mr. President has elected to celebrate this illustrious son who has won laurels in global professional circles. It is a reward well deserved and a choice wisely made.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC
