Timipre Silva, Anyim Pius Anyim Head Buhari's Inauguration Committee [Photo]

pix: Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipire Sylva, Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Mrs. Ibukun Odusote during the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee (PIPC) meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Thursday. Photo: AKIN OLADOKUN.

To ensure a smooth transition of government on May 29, the former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Silva and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, will co-chair the 2015 Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee (PIPC).

At a joint briefing by the co-chairmen in the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, Anyim, said the briefing was to present the programme of the 2015 Presidential inauguration to the public.

He also told State House correspondents that the committee was meeting for the second time.
He said: “There are two parallel transition committee and inauguration committee. Two parallel transition committees work independent of each other but to interface at a point.”

“Inauguration committee is structured to be joint committee of the present administration and incoming administration and is chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim for the present administration and former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva for the incoming administration.”

He disclosed that the PIPC has 14 members from the present government, while 13 members are from the incoming government.

Members of the present government on the list include the FCT Minister, Bala Muhammed, Minister of Land and Housing, Soon Eyakenyi, Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka and Minister of State for Defence, Austin Akobundu.

Others are – Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Edem Duke, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, Acting Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, representative of National Security Adviser, Bello Fadile, Commander, Brigade of Guards, Brig. Gen. A.B. Omozoje and Permanent Secretary of SGF office, Ibikunle Odusote.

Members of the incoming government include Chief Pius Akinyelure, Abike Dabiri Erewa, Sharon Ikeazor, Tony Anwuka, Kawu Baraje, John Shagaya and Babagana Kingibe.

Others are – Ismaila Is a Funtua, Hadiza Usman, Babachir Lawal, Binta Garba, and Samson Osagie.

On the terms of reference, Anyim said: “The mandate of the committee is to draw up programmes of activities for the inauguration ceremony, arrange invitations and accommodation for foreign and local dignitaries, organize approved programme of activities, draw up budget for the programme of activities and co opt into subcommittees persons that may be necessary to assist in the discharge of activities.”

“The purpose of this press briefing is to present the programme to the public, seek their understanding, support and participation in the 2015 presidential inauguration.”

-- SOurce