I’ll ensure transparency in NSIPA’s prog implementation — Halima Shehu

Newly confirmed National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, Halima Shehu, has said that the agency under her watch with other stakeholders would do things differently by ensuring transparency in the implementation of the programmes and in selection of vulnerable Nigerians across the country.

Shehu’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu was on Wednesday confirmed by the Senate.

The NSIPA boss, while responding to questions from Senators during her screening before the confirmation, vowed that the agency would ensure seamless implementation of the various aspects of the programmes.

She said for better attainment of the goals and objectives of the social investment programmes, there should be full and logical implementation of the programmes.

Shehu commended the Senate for for the legal framework establishing the social investment programme agency.

Confirmation of her appointment followed consideration and approval of a motion at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Giving highlights of her career profiles and professional experiences, Shehu said she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

According to her, she has over 10 years experience in banking industry, heading several units in the banking operations.

She  began her career as  as a Youth Corps member at Afri-Project Consortium, a project under the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF.

Shehu served from 1999–2009 at the former Inter-City Bank, ICB Plc where she was an Audit and Internal Control Officer to Unity Bank Plc, while  heading the Customer Service, Cash, Clearing and Funds Transfer Unit.

The NSIPA boss also worked with the Access Bank where she resigned as a Branch Services Branch Operations Manager.

She was at a time a member of the Board of Internal Revenue and was also appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, a role that extended from the year 2011 through 2015.

In the year 2016, she made a significant commitment to her role in regional diplomacy and democratic processes by becoming an esteemed member of the Electoral Commission of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS for Presidential Election observation at Cape Verde Island.

She worked closely with the pioneer Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as a consultant and technical adviser from the Refugee Commission to the ministry.

She also held the position of the National Program Co-ordinator for the National Cash Transfer Office, a World Bank and Government Funded Programme by the Abacha Restituted Funds, ARF.