The screening of ministerial nominees by the Nigeria Senate has entered into Day two.
Tayo Alasoadura
Senate President Ahmed Lawan commenced the screening by calling the first nominee to be screened today to the podium. He is Senator Tayo Alasoadura from Ondo State.
Senator Ope Bamidele, however, raised a point of order stressing that Alasoadura who is a Former Senator for Ondo Central District should not be exempted from enjoying the privilege of take a bow and go.
Bamidele said members of the public must take note that former legislators are entitled to this privilege.
Mustafa Baba Shehuri
The next nominee screened is Mustafa Baba Shehuri, the immediate past Minister of State for works. He was asked to take a bow and go after a few comments were made concerning him by some lawmakers.
Abubakar Aliyu
Abubakar Aliyu, the immediate past deputy governor of Yobe State also took a bow and left after giving a little biography of himself.
Despite not being a former lawmaker, he enjoyed the privilege to take a bow and leave without being questioned.
This was after the Senate President pointed out that he is a competent nominee and should be allowed to take a bow and go.
Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi
Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi from Kano State was questioned by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to tell the House what he will do differently if he finds himself to serve in the capacity of Defence Minister.
He was also asked how he will tackle the challenge of banditry and insecurity if he finds himself in the position of Defence Minister.
In response he told the House that if he is confirmed as Minster and he finds himself in the position of Defence Minister, he will ensure that rules are obeyed, procedures are followed and things are done in an appropriate manner.
Timipre Sylva
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva told the House about his exploits as a former governor and that he initiated the amnesty programme.
He was also asked to take a bow and go after the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe said Sylva should be made to enjoy the privilege as a former governor and former member of Bayelsa House of Assembly.
Ramatu Tijani
Ramatu Tijani from Kogi State made a brief presentation telling the House about herself. She also spoke concerning the less privileged and that of the girl child. She promised not to let them down the womenfolk and the whole House generally if confirmed as Minister.
She was also asked to bow and go after the Minority Leader, Abaribe said she should be allowed to go because the House is gender-sensitive and supportive of women.
Niyi Adebayo
The next nominee is the former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo. He was also asked to bow and go after reading his biography to the House. Some of the lawmakers in their remarks described Adebayo as reliable and competent.
Zubair Dada
Ambassador Zubair Dada from Niger State answered a question on how the NOA can be repositioned to make it a more effective agency. According to him, members of NOA staff needs to be given the motivation they need to make it a more effective agency.
He added that the activities of NAMSA need to be resuscitated so they can reach out to those at the grassroots.
Chris Ngige
Senator Chris Ngige from Anambra State briefly addressed the House. He said he didn’t have much to say but to express gratitude to the House for the accepting him to come back and be screened as a minister once again.
He also appreciated the House for passing the Minimum Wage Bill so that the lowest Nigerian worker will earn N30,000. He was later asked to bow and go.
Abdullahi Hassan
Abdullahi Hassan from Nasarawa State in his address said public service is about sacrifice.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu while contributing to the discussion supported Hassan’s nomination describing him as the youngest ministerial nominee from the zone. he also described him as a competent and experienced candidate.
Sunday Dare
The next nominee is Sunday Dare from Oyo State. At the moment, he is the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). In his address, he thanked the Senate Committee for screening him for the position in 2016.
Reacting to how he would curb kidnapping using sim card should he be assigned the Minister of Communications, Dare noted that arresting the abduction menace requires collaborative efforts.
According to Dare, his ministry in collaboration with the NCC will fight kidnapping by tracking phone calls made, alongside the Sim Registration Database.
Mohammed Bello
Mohammed Bello, a 60-year-old ministerial nominee from Adamawa State, is a Business Administration graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Shortly after his introduction, the Senator representing Adamawa North, Senator Ishaku Abbo, moved the motion for Bello to ‘take a bow and go.’ The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan thereafter adopted the motion and the nominee was asked to take a bow and go.
Sadiya Farouq
There was mild jubilation in the Senate when Sadiya Farouq, the Zamfara State ministerial nominee, in her opening remark said her political career started in the Fourth Senate with her office ‘upstairs.’
Having listened keenly, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan called on the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe to speak on the behalf of the lawmakers.
In a comic show, Abaribe who represents Abia Central asked Farouq to take a bow and go, having begun her career in the National Assembly.
