President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs. Saratu Altine Umar.

A statement issued by the president’s spokesperson Reuben Abati said Mrs Saratu’s sack was with immediate effect.

According to Abati “Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan-Baba takes over from Mrs. Saratu Altine Umar who has been relieved of her appointment as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of NIPC with immediate effect.”

“The new Executive Secretary/Chief Executive had served previously as Director-General, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Anambra State and Director, Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.”

No reason was given for the sack but industry watchers believe it may be linked to the unease in the Commission where Mrs Umar has been locked in an open ‘duel’ with the workers. The NIPC Staff Union had accused her of fraud, incompetence and high-handedness.