The Jos electrical distribution company –a subsidiary of the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was on Friday 1^st November, 2013 officially handed over to its new owners Aura Energy Limited (owned by Alh. Mohammed Garba Noma or Bauchi State).

At the formal handover ceremony chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo (who was represented by Bolashade Yemi, the permanent of the secretary Ministry of Information), power was reported to have gone off immediately the speech was about to commence causing huge embarassment. The event was therefore undertaken without light or power and therefore the speeches were barely audible because no microphones could be used.

The Jos electrical distribution company –a subsidiary of the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was on Friday 1^st November, 2013 officially handed over to its new owners Aura Energy Limited (partly owned by Alh. Mohammed Garba Noma and other individuals from Bauchi State).

At the formal handover ceremony chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo (who was represented by Bolashade Yemi, the permanent of the secretary Ministry of Information), power was reported to have gone off immediately the speech was about to commence causing huge embarassment. The event was therefore undertaken without light or power and therefore the speeches were barely audible because no microphones could be used.

Delivering the keynote address, the Vice President noted that the aim of the Federal Government privatisation exercise was to boost power generation. Pointing out that PHCN has consistently performed below the expectation of Nigerians in the past. Further saying that “the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 was a product of approximately 5 years of hard work and dedication by power generation experts”. And that the act was a necessary foundation for charting a new course for a sector which can potentially improve the economic potential of the Nigerian state.

Responding on behalf of Aura Energy Limited, one of the company’s representatives Alh. Tukur Modibbo promised Nigerians that there would be uninterrupted power supply in the near future. Saying that in the immediate power generation and distribution capacity of Nigeria would be increased 50%. He then strongly decried the neglect suffered by the power sector by the Federal Government. Especially saying that the working conditions of former PHCN staff was desplorable, but then quickly assuring them of better working conditions under the new take over by Aura Energy Limited.

While formerly handing over key materials to the new owners, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Jos Electrical Distribution Company, Mr. Fidelis Obicihai enjoined the new management to ensure adequate funding for the business and make sure that staff welfare and conditions were improved in order to guarantee uninterrupted power supply.

Aura Energy Limited is co-owned by politicians, businessmen, administrators and technocrats from Bauchi state, they include -Alh. Garba Mohammed Noma (Chairman), Alh. Tukur Modibbo (Managing Director). Alh. Muhammad Adam Jumba (Director), Hajia Aisha J Dukku (Director). Below is a summary of their working histories and CVs.

1. Employment history for Alh. Garba Mohammed Noma, Chairman of Aura Energy Limited

2. Personal Profile for Alh. Tukur Modibbo –Managing Director of Aura Energy Limited

Muhammad Tukur Modibbo is a proven institutional public service administrator and distinct academician. He graduated with BSc in Political Science and Master in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He rose and retired as a Federal Director in Nigeria’s Federal Republic who at various time served as a Board Director of Sokoto Cement Company of Nigeria (CCNN) 1996, Board Director Onogbolo Cement Company (Benin Republic) 1997, Board Director Save Sugar (Benin Republic), Member Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Kauran Namoda, 2001.

Member Governing Council Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Nigeria,2001, Member Governing Board of National Productivity Centre and Member Governing Council, National Institute of Sports (NIS) 2003, pioneer Secretary-General of Nigeria’s Bid Committee for Hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games 2006. He is the pioneer Secretary/Chief Operating Officer, International Junior Science Olympiad, 2009. He served as Member of the Governing Council for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) 2009.

3. Personal Profile for Alh. Muhammad Adam Jumba – Director at Aura Energy Limited

Ambassador Muhammad Adam Jumba is a consummate professional Architect in both public and private establishment in Nigeria for over two decades. He obtained his BSc and MSc in Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. At various times he attended Commonwealth University Administrators course at the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA), London where he obtained a Senior Management Skill Certificate. He served as an Honourable Commissioner of Works, Housing and Land Development, Bauchi State, Nigeria from 1992 – 1993
He was appointed as Zonal Secretary, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund in charge of North East Region, Nigeria from 1996 – 1999.
His political career took another dimension with his appointment as Nigeria Ambassador to Kuwait and United Arab Emirates 1999 – 2003. He returned to his professional practice as Principal Partner, Design and Planning Consultants, 2004 to date before joining the Board of Aura Energy in 2011. The Federal Government of Nigeria has again recently appointed him the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Bayero University Governing Council to bring his vast public experience on board one of the largest universities in Nigeria.

4. Personal Profile for Aisha J Dukku – Director at Aura Energy Limited

Hajia Aishatu J Dukku is a former Minister of Education, who can be described as a champion in education, and a strong campaigner for the empowerment of the underprivileged. She is a distinguish teacher, mother and grassroots organizer. She founded the Centre for Development and Partnership (CEDEP), a non-governmental organization that has constructed over eleven blocks of classrooms in primary schools, literacy centers for women and female child education, nomadic centers and girl child education acquisition centers (CEDEP), which primary objective is lifting the various standard of less privilege.
She has trained over 108 girls and 87 women in various programmes, particularly skill acquisition. She is a recipient of numerous awards for her sterling efforts in bringing education to the uneducated, especially the girl child. She is an accomplished educationist and educational resource developer.

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Jos electrical distribution company officially sold-off to energy consortium from Bauchi state