Two members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have commended the inclusion of women in the ministerial list of the president and canvassed for the representation of youths in the waiting list.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday sent the long-awaited ministerial list to the Senate with some expected names and others coming as a surprise to many.

The Senate President Godswill Akpabio would read the names on the floor of the Senate during plenary on Thursday.

A former APC presidential aspirant, Nicholas Felix, who made an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday lauded the move of the president, noting that if there is any group of persons or people who should be asking for more, it should be the youths.

“For the women, the president has fulfilled his promise. These women have exhibited party loyalty and competence.

“I am excited for the women, just the youths yet we are yet to see. I am hoping that the list that is coming is going to be filled with youths.,” he said.

According to him, the women nominated are set to represent the women, but there would be a key need for youth ministers who will primarily represent the interest of the youths.

“I will be very disappointed if we get sidelined again by just saying they are all young. This is going to be the same old trick. Women have got what they asked for, but we want to see more of those who are representing the youth,” he said.

In agreement with Mr Felix’s stance was the Assistant Secretary of Protocol and Events of the APC, Princess Atika Ajana who was also a guest on the show, adding that the president had fulfilled his promise made in his manifesto and inaugural speech.

“These women have been identified in their areas of strength, these are women who are currently handling sensitive positions.

“We can see clearly that he is already walking the talk, I am particularly happy because we have seven women – that is 25 per cent of 28 names that were sent to the senate last week,” she said.

‘A Lot To Offer’

Felix who also held the position of former deputy national youth coordinator for the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) stated that a number of youths are thriving in the private sector and had a lot to offer in the present administration.

“It is just 28 here, we still have about 13 to go, which is why I am hopeful that the next list will be filled with young people, the kind of balance we have been asking for. We’ve been just absent for just too long with this mindset that we have nothing to offer.

“The youths have a lot to offer, we have so much to bring to the table, we have proven it in the private sector, and we have proven it in entertainment, and sports. I would not be surprised to see five or six, seven of them as young people” he stated.

He expressed optimism that the pending list to be ruled out would have the youths included.

Princess Ajana also added that “Over the years, the youth – both female and male have been sidelined, but I am very confident that the president would include them.”

Meanwhile, all is set later today for the screening of the first batch of ministerial nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate.

Channels Television reliably gathered that 20 of the 28 today ministerial nominees have completed their documentation for the screening at the Senate today (Monday).

Those yet to complete their documentation, it was gathered, are currently out of the country.