Nigerian Internet Regulatory Body Gets New Head

The Executive Board of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has approved the appointment of Mr. Sola Bickersteth as the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the registry.
NIRA is the custodian of the nation’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) .ng on behalf of the Nigerian internet community since its formation in 2005.
The President of NIRA, Mrs. Mary Uduma, disclosed this after handing over the offer letter of employment to Mr. Bickersteth at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja at the weekend.
She said that the offer letter signed by her and the company of the chairman, Establishment Committee of NIRA, Mr. Sekiri Shehu Mohammed has been given to Mr. Bickersteth on behalf of the organisation.
She expressed delight on the development, saying it’s a landmark step by NIRA with the support of the Internet community in the country.
Also, she said that this was an actualization of part of the cardinal promise of the present board after it’s inauguration in August last year; to transform NIRA as a world class organisation in the management of .ng.
Mrs. Uduma said that the new COO, Bickersteth would resume duty on Thursday, January 10, 2011.
“I wish to thank the Chairman Establishment Committee and his members for job well done. I also wish to thank all for the constructive contributions to the perfect the exercise. Congratulations to the Board and to Sola,” she declared.
She noted that the emergence of Bickersteth as the COO was heavily contested by two other contenders.
In his remark, Mr. Bickersteth said he was excited to be found worthy to occupy the position of COO of NiRA and the first at that.
“I am extremely humbled by your endorsement and do not take it for granted ....” he asserted.
Bickersteth also promised to put in his best effort towards helping NIRA to achieve its goal of a world class organization that the Executive Board will be proud of.
While soliciting for the continuous support of the board, he noted that without their increased support , “there is very little that I can achieve.”
In addition, he solicited for the advice, reprimand, suggestions and prayers to make the effort worthwhile for all members of the Nigerian Internet community.“Your time, service and contributions to NIRA shall not be in vain and it shall also be to the benefit our nation and indeed generations to come,” he prayed.