Rita Odafe
The Senate is set to start screening seven nominees proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ministerial positions on Tuesday of next week.
The candidates awaiting Senate assessment include: Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction), Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour and Employment), Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State Foreign Affairs), and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment).
Additionally, Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development), Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (State Education) have also been nominated.
This marks the first occasion where specific portfolios are designated to the nominees before their screening process.
Senate President Akpabio had earlier conveyed President Tinubu’s request for prompt consideration of these nominations to the legislative body.
In his letter, President Tinubu urged the Senate to prioritize this matter. Akpabio subsequently directed the presidential request to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.
“Honored colleagues, the presidential request has been passed to the committee of the whole for swift evaluation,” he stated.
According to a Senate official speaking to ThisDay, the screening of the nominees will commence on Tuesday.
He mentioned: “As the request was presented on the last sitting day of the week, we anticipate beginning the screening on Tuesday, contingent on receiving the necessary documentation regarding the nominees, and potentially concluding it by Wednesday.”
