President Bola Tinubu has officially requested the Nigerian Senate to screen and confirm seven newly appointed ministerial nominees. The letter containing the request was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session held on Thursday.
The letter, which was addressed to Senator Akpabio, outlines the nominees selected by President Tinubu for various important roles within his administration. Among the names listed, Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, widow of the late Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stands out as the nominee for Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.
Other notable names in the list include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who has been nominated to serve as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, who is set to become the Minister of Labour and Employment. These appointments are viewed as crucial in addressing some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, such as poverty reduction and employment generation.
The remaining nominees include Dr. Jumoke Oduwole for Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha for Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata for Minister of State, Housing; and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad for Minister of State, Education. Each of these candidates has been selected to handle portfolios that are essential to the country’s economic and social development.
In his letter, President Tinubu urged the Senate to give urgent attention to the confirmation process, stressing the importance of filling these ministerial positions quickly to ensure the smooth operation of his administration.
“Distinguished colleagues, the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon,” Senate President Akpabio announced after reading the letter.
The Senate is expected to begin the screening of the nominees next week, as the letter arrived on the last sitting day of the Senate for the week. The screening process will begin once the necessary documents regarding the nominees have been submitted and reviewed by the Senate.
