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The Nigerian senate on Tuesday commenced the screening of the first batch of ministerial nominees forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.
View attachment 59998
Ten nominees appeared before the senate on Tuesday, from the first batch of 21 names forwarded to the Senate on September 30.
The screening continues on Wednesday (today) when Adebayo Shittu, Chris Ngige, Babatunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi among others, are expected to appear.
9.57: Ministerial nominees are yet to appear ew minutes to commencement of Senate session. However, the senate gallery is full as their associates and supporters have already arrived.
10.05: Ministerial nominee, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, arrives.
10.08. Yesterday, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced that today’s session would commence at 10am prompt. Yet most of the Senators are yet to arrive the chambers, while few of them like Stella Oduah, Shehu Sani, Babajide Omoworare are just arriving.
The lateness may be due to the fact that the Senators are used to commencing plenary at 11am.
The ministers to be screened today are Babatunde Fashola, Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, Chris Ngige, Aisha Alhassan, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeosun, Hadi Sirika, Adebayp Shittu and Rotimi Amaechi.
Credit: NTA
10.46: Chris Ngige, Anambra State, arrives Senate.
11:11: Senate takes votes of Proceeding for the Tuesday October 13 session.
Senate President reads a letter from President Muhmmadu Buhari withdrawing the nomination of Ahmed Musa Ibeto as a ministerial nominee.
11.49: Senate begins ministerial screening of Babatunde Raji Fashola
He introduced himself to the senate, saying he's a legal practitioner. He said he is willing to serve in Buhari’s cabinet in pursuit of the “Nigerian dream and the Nigerian project”.
He was asked questions on government's VAT system and the security situation in the nation
Sen. Abaribe asked him if he built a website with N72m, and what his concept of loyalty is following his perceived help in becoming Lagos state governor.
"It will be inappropriate for me to take credit for what we achieved in Lagos. It was a team effort," he said.
"Before we start to increase taxes we must increase the capacity to collect what's in place, instead of seeking to increase the number of taxes that we levied,"
"The burden of managing the state becomes lighter when the responsibility is shared" he said.
"I've been to the 36 states and there is no state in thes country that is unable to undertake some form of productive activity.
"Let us make tough choices because of tomorrow," he added.
Security
"It's the primary purpose of every government and it's the toughest job of every government.
"I see criminals as my competitors," he said, adding that he prefers to "outmaneuver the competition".
Fashola Calls for Decentralization of Nigerian Police
He recommended a compelling urgency for decentralization of Nigeria's security agencies, faulting claims that governors would use the medium to abuse power and politicize the Nigerian police.
"Abuse of political power is not as important as the loss of lives," he stated.
He advocated for the creation of state police in Nigeria, saying it'll help improve the economy and solve local crimes.
12: 15 He spoke about the important roles of elders in the community, saying they are an important aspect of the nation and can show the young ones the path to take.
"In the fullness of time, we'll reach the desired level of development we seek." he said.
About N72m website
“As governor of Lagos, I didn’t sign cheques. None of my commissioners signed cheques. I didn’t sit in awards of contracts. There is a tenders board.
“The unfortunate thing about money is that it always raises suspicion, even among brothers. In all, nobody has said I have personally enriched myself.
About loyalty
“The concept of loyalty is a very strange concept. May our loyalty never be tested. If your loyalty is tested, you might end up taking bullet for your own children.”
“In public life, I have remained loyal to causes I have signed on to. Nobody can accuse me of going back on my words.”
He also spoke on the deportation of some people from Lagos to other states during his tenure as governor
“In a federation, the right to free movement is not absolute, it carries with a responsibility not to be a nuisance. He said those moved to their states of origin were those who asked to be taken home.”
He apologised in the interest of national cohesion.
Fashola asked to take a bow.
1:02: Senate commences screening of Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC GMD,
He listed his achievements, saying he has 30 years of experience. He added that he is privileged to be in the upper chambers and appreciates its architectural masterpiece.
He says the latest fuel scarcity in the nation was caused by the closing down of filling stations following the rumour that the pump price of the product would be reduced to N57/litre.
He assures the public that the scarcity will be over in a day or two, since NNPC has officially debunked the reduction rumour.
He added that some refineries in the nation will be closed down by December.
He also said he was planning an “NNPC Manual” which would be published to address relevant issues in the sector monthly.
“I now do a weekly broadcast to all of our Staff memebers as well as a Monthly Town Hall Meeting”, Mr Kachikwu said.
'I think the requirement of information (from the oil industry) is a right Nigerians are entitled to'
He denied reports that NNPC staff are owed five or six months salary.
After an hour and 30 minutes of answering questions, Kachikwu takes a bow.
14:34 Nominee Abubakar Malami from Kebbi state takes the stand.
He introduced himself to the senators.
Malami was asked if he would resign as minister if an incident like the immigration recruitment tragedy happens under his watch.
Approximately 15 minutes after his introduction, Malami was bowed out.
14:53 Next nominee is Senator Chris Ngige
“We are in the era of change and this change will be holistic.” he said addressing the senate.
He speaks for a few minutes on his time at the senate and takes a bow without answering a single question.
15:02 Chris Ngige has been cleared.
15:03 Next nominee is Aisha Jummai Alhassan.
'It is not true that Mr President asked me to choose between being a minister and pursuing my governorship election petition in court' she said and was discharged in few minutes being a former senator.
15:14 Aisha Jummai Alhassan has been cleared.
15:16 Next nominee to be screened is Solomon Dalong.
Dalong says poverty and unemployment major cause of the hersdmen-farmers conflict in the country.
"We must practice what our religions preach. Both Islam and Christianity are religions of peace"
"if we do not determine what corruption is, we may smuggle morality into law," he says.
Speaking about the crisis in Borno and northeastern Nigeria, Barr Dalong says government must examine the history of the crisis to address it.
He says that social media regulation is a very "serious aspect of our law that we need to consider."
"Impunity has taken a centre stage... it seems it is the norm itself." he said, adding that "laws bordering on environmental issues have to be enforced to flush out impunity and rectify our reward system"
Barr. Dalong is screened. Senate asks him to "bow and go" after the question and answer session.
16:09 Kemi Adeosun is the next ministerial nominee to be screened
Adeosun expresses gratitude for being nominated for a ministerial appointment by president Buhari.
"We need creative-innovative solutions to add value to our country and our economy," she says.
"We need to 'chase out cash.' Every where that people transact in cash, there are leakages," she says.
" We need to seek out other forms of cash transfer that phases out physical cash"
"Inclusive growth creates job and wealth, we need to invest primarily in infrastructure" she says.
"TSA was introduced in Ogun state in 2011, which consequently reduced borrowing by the state government"
"Banks are not in business to sit on government money.., it's bad economics." she says.
"The major challenge of foreign investment is infrastructure..if we get our infrastructure right, there are opportunities"
"We need to establish public-private-partnerships to develop Nigeria's infrastructure, increase revenues, better cost efficiency and seek out other sources of funding to avert recession"
"Markets tend to overreact when there is a shock or a slight depression, hence, the recent recession projections" she says.
16:50 Mrs. Adeosun is asked to 'bow and go.'
16:52 Sen. Hadi Sirika takes the stand
Senate president asks him what he thinks about Nigeria having a national carrier.
Sen. Sirika says "Nigeria should have a National Carrier"
16:59 Sirika is asked to 'bow and go' by his former colleagues, 5 minutes after taking the stand.
Sen. Leader Ali Ndume moves to stand down the screening of the two nominees left for today, Adebayo Shittu and Rotimi Amaechi.
The Senate moves to approve the confirmation of the Ministers screened today.
The following ministerial nominees were approved and confirmed as ministers for the federal republic of Nigeria.
Udo Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Lai Mohammed, Ogbonnaya Onu, Lt. Gen. Dambazau, Dr. Ehaniere Osagie, Amina J. Mohammed, Sulaiman Adamu, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Tunde Fashola, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, Chris Ngige, Aisha Jumai Alhassan, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeosun and Hadi Sirika.
View attachment 59998
Ten nominees appeared before the senate on Tuesday, from the first batch of 21 names forwarded to the Senate on September 30.
The screening continues on Wednesday (today) when Adebayo Shittu, Chris Ngige, Babatunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi among others, are expected to appear.
9.57: Ministerial nominees are yet to appear ew minutes to commencement of Senate session. However, the senate gallery is full as their associates and supporters have already arrived.
10.05: Ministerial nominee, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, arrives.
10.08. Yesterday, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced that today’s session would commence at 10am prompt. Yet most of the Senators are yet to arrive the chambers, while few of them like Stella Oduah, Shehu Sani, Babajide Omoworare are just arriving.
The lateness may be due to the fact that the Senators are used to commencing plenary at 11am.
The ministers to be screened today are Babatunde Fashola, Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, Chris Ngige, Aisha Alhassan, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeosun, Hadi Sirika, Adebayp Shittu and Rotimi Amaechi.
Credit: NTA
10.46: Chris Ngige, Anambra State, arrives Senate.
11:11: Senate takes votes of Proceeding for the Tuesday October 13 session.
Senate President reads a letter from President Muhmmadu Buhari withdrawing the nomination of Ahmed Musa Ibeto as a ministerial nominee.
11.49: Senate begins ministerial screening of Babatunde Raji Fashola
He introduced himself to the senate, saying he's a legal practitioner. He said he is willing to serve in Buhari’s cabinet in pursuit of the “Nigerian dream and the Nigerian project”.
He was asked questions on government's VAT system and the security situation in the nation
Sen. Abaribe asked him if he built a website with N72m, and what his concept of loyalty is following his perceived help in becoming Lagos state governor.
"It will be inappropriate for me to take credit for what we achieved in Lagos. It was a team effort," he said.
"Before we start to increase taxes we must increase the capacity to collect what's in place, instead of seeking to increase the number of taxes that we levied,"
"The burden of managing the state becomes lighter when the responsibility is shared" he said.
"I've been to the 36 states and there is no state in thes country that is unable to undertake some form of productive activity.
"Let us make tough choices because of tomorrow," he added.
Security
"It's the primary purpose of every government and it's the toughest job of every government.
"I see criminals as my competitors," he said, adding that he prefers to "outmaneuver the competition".
Fashola Calls for Decentralization of Nigerian Police
He recommended a compelling urgency for decentralization of Nigeria's security agencies, faulting claims that governors would use the medium to abuse power and politicize the Nigerian police.
"Abuse of political power is not as important as the loss of lives," he stated.
He advocated for the creation of state police in Nigeria, saying it'll help improve the economy and solve local crimes.
12: 15 He spoke about the important roles of elders in the community, saying they are an important aspect of the nation and can show the young ones the path to take.
"In the fullness of time, we'll reach the desired level of development we seek." he said.
About N72m website
“As governor of Lagos, I didn’t sign cheques. None of my commissioners signed cheques. I didn’t sit in awards of contracts. There is a tenders board.
“The unfortunate thing about money is that it always raises suspicion, even among brothers. In all, nobody has said I have personally enriched myself.
About loyalty
“The concept of loyalty is a very strange concept. May our loyalty never be tested. If your loyalty is tested, you might end up taking bullet for your own children.”
“In public life, I have remained loyal to causes I have signed on to. Nobody can accuse me of going back on my words.”
He also spoke on the deportation of some people from Lagos to other states during his tenure as governor
“In a federation, the right to free movement is not absolute, it carries with a responsibility not to be a nuisance. He said those moved to their states of origin were those who asked to be taken home.”
He apologised in the interest of national cohesion.
Fashola asked to take a bow.
1:02: Senate commences screening of Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC GMD,
He listed his achievements, saying he has 30 years of experience. He added that he is privileged to be in the upper chambers and appreciates its architectural masterpiece.
He says the latest fuel scarcity in the nation was caused by the closing down of filling stations following the rumour that the pump price of the product would be reduced to N57/litre.
He assures the public that the scarcity will be over in a day or two, since NNPC has officially debunked the reduction rumour.
He added that some refineries in the nation will be closed down by December.
He also said he was planning an “NNPC Manual” which would be published to address relevant issues in the sector monthly.
“I now do a weekly broadcast to all of our Staff memebers as well as a Monthly Town Hall Meeting”, Mr Kachikwu said.
'I think the requirement of information (from the oil industry) is a right Nigerians are entitled to'
He denied reports that NNPC staff are owed five or six months salary.
After an hour and 30 minutes of answering questions, Kachikwu takes a bow.
14:34 Nominee Abubakar Malami from Kebbi state takes the stand.
He introduced himself to the senators.
Malami was asked if he would resign as minister if an incident like the immigration recruitment tragedy happens under his watch.
Approximately 15 minutes after his introduction, Malami was bowed out.
14:53 Next nominee is Senator Chris Ngige
“We are in the era of change and this change will be holistic.” he said addressing the senate.
He speaks for a few minutes on his time at the senate and takes a bow without answering a single question.
15:02 Chris Ngige has been cleared.
15:03 Next nominee is Aisha Jummai Alhassan.
'It is not true that Mr President asked me to choose between being a minister and pursuing my governorship election petition in court' she said and was discharged in few minutes being a former senator.
15:14 Aisha Jummai Alhassan has been cleared.
15:16 Next nominee to be screened is Solomon Dalong.
Dalong says poverty and unemployment major cause of the hersdmen-farmers conflict in the country.
"We must practice what our religions preach. Both Islam and Christianity are religions of peace"
"if we do not determine what corruption is, we may smuggle morality into law," he says.
Speaking about the crisis in Borno and northeastern Nigeria, Barr Dalong says government must examine the history of the crisis to address it.
He says that social media regulation is a very "serious aspect of our law that we need to consider."
"Impunity has taken a centre stage... it seems it is the norm itself." he said, adding that "laws bordering on environmental issues have to be enforced to flush out impunity and rectify our reward system"
Barr. Dalong is screened. Senate asks him to "bow and go" after the question and answer session.
16:09 Kemi Adeosun is the next ministerial nominee to be screened
Adeosun expresses gratitude for being nominated for a ministerial appointment by president Buhari.
"We need creative-innovative solutions to add value to our country and our economy," she says.
"We need to 'chase out cash.' Every where that people transact in cash, there are leakages," she says.
" We need to seek out other forms of cash transfer that phases out physical cash"
"Inclusive growth creates job and wealth, we need to invest primarily in infrastructure" she says.
"TSA was introduced in Ogun state in 2011, which consequently reduced borrowing by the state government"
"Banks are not in business to sit on government money.., it's bad economics." she says.
"The major challenge of foreign investment is infrastructure..if we get our infrastructure right, there are opportunities"
"We need to establish public-private-partnerships to develop Nigeria's infrastructure, increase revenues, better cost efficiency and seek out other sources of funding to avert recession"
"Markets tend to overreact when there is a shock or a slight depression, hence, the recent recession projections" she says.
16:50 Mrs. Adeosun is asked to 'bow and go.'
16:52 Sen. Hadi Sirika takes the stand
Senate president asks him what he thinks about Nigeria having a national carrier.
Sen. Sirika says "Nigeria should have a National Carrier"
16:59 Sirika is asked to 'bow and go' by his former colleagues, 5 minutes after taking the stand.
Sen. Leader Ali Ndume moves to stand down the screening of the two nominees left for today, Adebayo Shittu and Rotimi Amaechi.
The Senate moves to approve the confirmation of the Ministers screened today.
The following ministerial nominees were approved and confirmed as ministers for the federal republic of Nigeria.
Udo Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Lai Mohammed, Ogbonnaya Onu, Lt. Gen. Dambazau, Dr. Ehaniere Osagie, Amina J. Mohammed, Sulaiman Adamu, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Tunde Fashola, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, Chris Ngige, Aisha Jumai Alhassan, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeosun and Hadi Sirika.
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