By Ayo Yusuf
The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, said all ministerial nominees are expected to complete their documentation by July 30.
Sen. Gumel who said the documentation for the nominees has since commenced told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that the nominees are expected to visit the office of the SSA, located at AB 25, Basement, National Assembly complex, between July 28 and July 30.
He said the three day deadline was necessary to ensure that the documentation ends ahead of the screening, which commences on Monday, July 31.
According to him, “Documentation for ministerial nominees has commenced and the nominees are expected to complete all necessary processes before the screening.
“The office will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for this purpose; this is to enable all nominees complete the process before the screening,” he said.
It would be recalled that the senate had, on Thursday, received President Bola Tinubu’s list of 28 ministerial nominees for screening and confirmation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio who read the list at plenary after receiving it from the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said more nominees would still be forwarded by the President.
The ministerial nominees include Hon. (Engr) Abubakar Momoh (Edo); Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar CON, Architect Ahmad Dangiwa (Katsina); Barr. Hannatu Musawa (Katsina); Chief Uche Nnaji (Enugu); Dr. Betta Edu (Cross River); Dr. Doris Aniche Uzoka (Imo); Senator David Umahi (Ebonyi); ex-Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers); ex-Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa); ex-Governor Nasir Ahmed El-rufai (Kaduna); Hon, Ekperikpe Ekpo (Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha (Abia).
Others are: Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Ondo); Hon. Stella Okotete (Delta); Mr Bello Muhammad Goronyo (Sokoto); Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Anambra); Mr. Dele Alake (Ekiti); Barr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN (Kwara); Mr. Muhammad Idris (Niger); Mr. Olawale Edun (Ogun); Mr. Waheed Adebayo Adelabu (Oyo); Mrs Iman Sulaiman Ibrahim (Nasarawa); Prof. Ali Pate (Bauchi); Prof. Joseph Utsev (Benue); Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno); Senator John Enoh (Cross River) and Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba).
According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the screening of the nominees by the Committee of the Whole of the Senate would begin on Monday.
Reactions
Reactions continue to trail the list of nominees with some Nigerians querying the shortage of technocrats in a list overpopulated by politicians. Mr. Tinubu had earlier promised that his list would err on the side of competence rather than any effort to settle political debts.
However, some of the reactions have been rather positive as a media expert, Mr. Olorunfemi Adedeji, said the list “underscored a commitment to diversity and good governance.”
He described the inclusion of the candidate from Imo State Honourable (Dr.) Doris Uzoka Anite, the Imo state commissioner of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Doris Uzoka Anite, in the ministerial list sent to the National Assembly as marking a significant milestone in the inclusion of women in key positions of power in Nigeria’s administration.
“Hailing from Orsu-Obodo, Oru Clan, Oguta LGA, Imo State, Honourable (Dr.) Doris Uzoka Anite has an impressive track record of accomplishments that span various sectors, making her a valuable asset to President Tinubu’s administration.
With a background in both medicine and finance, she brings unalloyed multidisciplinary expertise to the table, positioning her as an exceptional candidate for a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Her journey to this nomination has been characterized by hard work, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.
As the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy in Imo State, Honourable (Dr.) Doris Uzoka Anite has proven her worth as a skilled strategist, financial expert, and coordinator. Her contributions to the success of the Imo State administration in the areas of strategy, financial management, and coordination have garnered praise and recognition both locally and internationally.”
