Senate confirms 43 nominees as Ministers, lists its committees, proceeds on recess; receives Buhari’s praise

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed without exception the list of ministerial nominees forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari to it for confir.ation.

Swiftly, it received the applause of the presidency for confirming the ministers.

It has also proceeded on its annual recess, while at the same time, its President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has reeled out a list of its 69 Standing Committees, their chairmen and deputies. They are:

1. Agriculture – Abdullahi Adamu, Bima Enagi.
2. Airforce – Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Michael Nnachi.
3. Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes – Suleiman Kwari, Aliyu Wamakko.
4. Appropriation – Barau Jibrin, Stella Oduah.
5. Army – Ali Ndume, Abba Moro.
6. Aviation – Dino Melaye, Bala Na’Allah.
7. Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions – Uba Sani, Orji Uzor Kalu.
8. Capital Market – Ibikunle Amosun, Binos Yero
9. Communications – Oluremi Tinubu, Ibrahim Bomai.
10. Corporation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD – Chimaroke Nnamani, Yusuf Yusuf.
11. Culture and Tourism – Rochas Okorocha, Ignatius Longjohn.
12. Customs, Excise and Tarrifs – Francis Alimekhena, Francis Fardausi.
13. Defence – Aliyu Wamakko, Istifanus Gyang.
14. Diaspora and NGOs – Bashiru Ajibola, Ibrahim Oloriegbe.
15. Downstream Petroleum Sector – Sabo Mohammed, Philip Aduda.
    16.Drugs and Narcotics – Hezekaiah Dimka, Chimaroke Nnamani.
16. Ecology Climate Change – Mohammad Gusau, Olubunmi Adetunmbi.
17. Education (Basic and Secondary) – Ibrahim Geidam, Akon Eyakenyi
18. Employment, Labour and Productivity – Ben Umajumogwu, Kabiru Barkiya.
19. Environment – Ike Ekweremadu, Ibrahim Hadejia.
20. Establishment and Public Service – Ibrahim Shekarau, Barinadas Mpigi.
21. Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions – Patrick Akinyelure, Ahmed Babba-Kaita.
22. FCT – Abubakar Kyari, Tolu Odebiyi. 24.Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs – Danjuma Laah, Yahaya Gumau.
23. FERMA – Gershom Bassey, Kabir Barkiya.
24. Finance – Adeola Olamilekan, Isa Jibrin.
25. Foreign Affairs – Mohammed Bulkachuwa, Ignatius Longjohn.
26. Gas Resources – James Manager, Biobaraku Wangagra.
27. Health (Secondary and Tertiary) – Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Betty Apiafi.
28. Housing – Sam Egwu, Lola Ashiru.
29. ICT and Cybercrime – Yakubu Useni, Abdulfatai Buhari.
30. INEC – Kabiru Gaya, Sahabi Ya’u.
31. Industries – Adebayo Osinowo.
32. Information and National Communication – Danladi Sankara, Aishatu Ahmed.
33. Interior -Kashim Shettima, Diri Douye.
34. Interparliamentary Affairs – Godiya Akwashiki, Abba Moro.
35. Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters – Michael Bamidele, Emmanuel Oker-Jev.
36. Land Transport – Abdulfatai Buhari, Nicholas Tofowomo.
37. Legislative Compliance – Oriolowo Adeyemi, Sabi Abdullahi.
38. Local Content – Teslim Folarin, Sabi Abdullahi.
39. Local and Foreign Debts – Clifford Ordia, Bima Enagi.
40. Marine Transport – Danjuma Goje, Adebayo Osinowo.
41. Media and Public Affairs – Adedayo Adeyeye, Akwashiki Godiya.
42. National Identity and National Population – Sa’idu Alkali, Suleiman Kwari.
43. National Planning – Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
44. National Security and Intelligence – Abdullahi Gobir, Chukwuka Utazi.
45. Navy – George Sekibo, Elisha Abbo.
46. Niger Delta – Peter Nwabaoshi, Bulus Amos.
47. Petroleum Upstream – Albert Akpan, Ifeanyi Ubah.
48. Police affairs – Dauda Jika, Abubakar Tambuwal.
49. Poverty Alleviation and Social Investment Program – Lawal Gumau, Michael Nnachi.
50. Power -Gabriel Suswam, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
51. Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases – Chukwuka Utazi, Sadiq Umar.
52. Privatisation – Theodore Orji, Oriolowo Adeyemi.
53. Public Accounts – Mathew Urghohide, Ibrahim Hassan.
54. Public Procurement – Shuaibu Lau, Lola Ashiru.
55. Rules and business – Sadiq Umar, Yahaya Abdullahi.
56. Science and Technology – Uche Ekwunife, Robert Boroffice.
57. Senate Services – Sani Musa, Lawal Hassan.
58. Solid Minerals, Mine, Steel Development and Metallurgy – Tanko Almakura, Oriolowo Adeyeye.
59. Sports and Social Development – Joseph Garba
60. State and Local Government – Lekan Mustapha, Francis Onyewuchi.
61. Special duties – Yusuf Yusuf, Biobaraku Wangagra.
62. SDGs – Aisha Dahiru, Lekan Mustapha
63. Tertiary Institution and TETFUND – Ahmed Baba Kaita, Sandy Onor.
64. Trade and Investment – Rose Oko
    Francis Fadahunsi.
65. Water Resources – Bello Mandiya, Christopher Ekpeyong.
66. Women Affairs and Youth Development – Betty Apiafi, Aishatu Dahiru.
67. Works – Adamu Aliero, Emmanuel Bwacha

In its statement, the Presidency praised the diligence of the Senate in confirming the ministerial nominees, whilst also ensuring a swift and efficient process.

It added: “The people of Nigeria want results, and with this list of ministers, we are confident they shall be delivered. Specific portfolios shall be assigned with the inauguration of the cabinet.

“This is a fine, capable and committed group of individuals. Working together, they shall help achieve what we all want and labour toward: a secure, prosperous, corruption-free nation in which nobody is left behind, and talents can flourish.

“The executive approaches this 9th National Assembly with a renewed spirit of openness and enthusiasm. Where once we sometimes found impasse, we welcome collaboration; where once suspicion took hold, together, we shall demonstrate mutual trust.

“Scrutiny should never mean deadlock but proper governance. And with a new swathe of national legislators and ministers, we are confident the executive and the legislature can – in partnership – unleash the change Nigerians deserve”.