Sarafa Tunji Ishola

Sarafa Tunji Isola
Federal Minister of Mines and Steel Development
In office
26 July 2007 – 29 October 2008
Preceded by Lesley Obiorah
Succeeded by Diezani Allison-Madueke
Personal details
Born (1960-11-25) November 25, 1960
Ogun State, Nigeria

Alhaji Sarafadeen Tunji Isola (born 25 November 1960) became Nigeria's Minister of Mines and Steel Development on 26 July 2007, and was released from his duties by President Umaru Yar'Adua on 29 October 2008.[1]

Background

Sarafa Tunji Isola was born on 25 November 1960. He obtained a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London. He became a lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Katsina in 1983. In 1986 he joined the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Abeokuta. In 1990 he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive, of TAIST Nigeria. From 1997 to 1998 he was Chairman of the Abeokuta North Local Government Council. He was appointed Special Assistant to the Minister of State, Finance (1999–2003) and was Secretary to the Ogun State Government (2003–2007).[2]

Isola was among Ogun State leaders who fell out with the state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. In March 2007, shortly before the next national elections, the governor was looking for help in resolving difference with former Minister of State for Finance Jubril-Martins Kuye, Ogun Central Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and State Secretary Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola.[3]

Minister of Mines and Steel Development

President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed Sarafa Tunji Isola as Minister of Mines and Steel Development on 26 July 2007.[4]

In August 2007, Sarafa Tunji Isola said Nigeria would soon become a leader in production of coal and bitumen.[5] In October 2007, during a visit to Nigeria by Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, he met with his counterpart T. Subbarami Reddy and agreed to encourage Indian entrepreneurs to mining coal, gold, iron ore, chrome ore, lead and other minerals.[6] In June 2008, Isola received a delegation from the Chinese Mining Investment Company looking to partner in development of seven coal fields for electrical power generation in Nigeria. Isola said a transparent and competitive process would be followed in selecting companies for the project.[7]

In June 2008 ThisDay reported that the Ogun Central Senatorial District was considering two candidates for the 2011 Ogun State governor race, one of whom was Sarafa Tunji Isola.[8] In July 2008, the Chief of Staff to Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State asserted that Ishola had given 20 jeeps to people in the state.[9] Umaru Yar'Adua dismissed Isola on 29 October 2008.[1] His ouster may have been due to the disputes with Gbenga Daniel.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Lucky Nwankere, Abuja (October 30, 2008). "BOOTED OUT! ...20 Ministers sacked, as Yar'Adua reshuffles cabinet ...Aondoakaa, Diezani Allison-Madueke, Ojo Maduekwe survive ...Modibbo, Daggash dropped". Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  2. ↑ Mohammed Momoh (2007-09-14). "BRIEF ON MINISTERS". African Choice News USA. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  3. ↑ "OGUN CRISIS: Daniel Begs Senator Kuye, Obasanjo Shuns Abuja Meeting". OnlineNigeria Daily News. March 17, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  4. ↑ "Yar'Adua names cabinet". Africa News. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  5. ↑ "Nigeria to focus on bitumen and coal production". Integrity Intercontinental. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  6. ↑ "‘Nigeria ready to partner India in mining’". The Hindu. October 17, 2007. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  7. ↑ Luka Binniyat (3 June 2008). "China Woes Nigeria Over Coal-for-Power Generation". Vanguard. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  8. ↑ Jaiyeola Andrews (16 June 2008). "2011 - 2 Ogun Senatorial Districts Vie for Guber Slot". ThisDay. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  9. ↑ "Ogun - New Block Squares Up to Daniel". ThisDay. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  10. ↑ Hussain J. Ibrahim and Abdullahi Y. Bello (1 November 2008). "Anxiety Heightens Over New Ministerial List". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
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