Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has been appointed the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, announced this in a statement issued this afternoon in Abuja. He said that the appointment takes immediate effect.

Peter Obi was the Governor of Anambra State for two terms, from 2006 to March 17, 2014. Abati in the statement also announced President Jonathan’s approval of the confirmation of Mr. Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as the new Director-General of SEC. Gwarzo, who had been acting as SEC DG since the successful completion of tenure by Arunma Oteh, was appointed to the Board of SEC in January 2013.

Abati equally announced the sack of the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas. He said this is with immediate effect and that Mr. Olufemi A. Akingbade has been appointed to replace Akingbade in acting capacity.

“Mr. Akingbade who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment,” Abati stated.

•Photo shows SEC Chairman Peter Obi.