ADVERTISEMENT
The newly nominated 28 ministers yesterday commenced their documentation at the National Assembly as the process for their screening/confirmation by the Senate got underway in Abuja.
Three days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – are set aside for the exercise.
The nominees have been receiving congratulatory messages from various quarters.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Alhaji Abdullahi Gumel, asked the nominees to visit his office at the National Assembly on any of the chosen dates for the exercise.
The screening is scheduled to start on Monday, July 31.
“Documentation for ministerial nominees has commenced and all nominees are expected to complete all necessary processes before the screening,” Gumel said yesterday.
He added: “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.”
The nominee from Ebonyi State, David Umahi, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for deeming him fit for nomination as minister.
The immediate past governor of Ebonyi State promised to work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him.
He spoke in Abakaliki while addressing journalists after he was received by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
“My governor (Nwifuru) should be happy because he wished for it,” Umahi said.
“I will work with the President to ensure that all promises he made are kept.”
He said while he could not say the portfolio that would be assigned to him, he pledged to “justify the Ebonyi character of resourcefulness and exceptionality.”
Governor Nwifurun hailed Tinubu for nominating the man he (Nwifuru) called “our son and father of Modern Ebonyi State” as a minister.
He said:”It is therefore with a sense of pride and admiration that I felicitate on behalf of the people of Ebonyi State with the immediate past governor of the state on this historic feat heralding his appointment into the Federal Executive Council as Honorable Minister Designate.
“Your Excellency, you belong to the class of those who not only attained great heights but live to be widely celebrated, evident in your footprints on the sands of time when you held sway as the Governor of Ebonyi State.
“Your record of service in the area of development especially infrastructure and all sectors of the state has been remarkable. I therefore have no iota of doubt whatsoever that you will not only perform above board but will always shine as an example for others to follow.”
“As a Senator of the Federal Republic, within the little time in office, you have shone like a million stars, exuding wisdom and became a rallying point for Igbo inclusiveness in the country.
“You have been strong and focused as ever, and I look forward to the synergy between the Federal Government and Ebonyi State.”
In its own reaction, the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) described the nomination as a beautiful and welcome development.
Chairman of the party, Stanley Emegha, noted that the party has confidence in the ability of the former governor to deliver.
Rivers governor salutes ‘Great Leader’ Wike on noination
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara described the inclusion of his immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, in the ministerial list as well deserved.
The governor in a message titled HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO A GREAT LEADER on his Twitter handle @SimFubaraKSC said: “On behalf of the government and good people of Rivers State, we heartily congratulate our indefatigable leader and democrat, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo @GovWike, CON, GSSRS, Life Bencher, immediate past governor of Rivers State, on your well deserved nomination as Minister designate by the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Indeed, your commitment to the unity and advancement of our dear country propelled your push for equity, justice and fairness. We believe that you will continue to make an impact by joining the team of great leaders to change our national narratives for the good of humanity. Congratulations, our great leader.
Rivers APC stakeholders too
Some APC stakeholders in Rivers State similarly hailed Wike’s nomination.
In a statement by a member of the dissolved Amalgamated Bola Tinubu Campaign Council, Rivers State and former Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government, Tony Okocha, the group said: “With Wike as Minister, the Renewed Hope family of APC is rest assured of a new sense of belonging and a rebirth of our great party in our dear state.”
They said Wike’s nomination was a true reflection of his hard work and uncommon commitment to the victory of APC during the presidential poll that led to the emergence of Tinubu as President.
The group while further expressing joy described Wike as a hero of national politics and champion of integrity and justice, with the pedigree of excellence and hard work.
We need results from ministers, say TUC, FNM
The Rivers State chapter of the Trade Union Congress and the Future Nigeria Movement (FNM) expressed satisfaction with the calibre of the nominees.
FNM in a statement signed by its Leader, Livingstone Wechie, described the nominees as persons with high level experience and profiles in their respective capacities both in private and public sectors.
Wechie said: “It is now a task of rebuilding Nigeria before them. Future Nigeria Movement FNM charges them to work with patriotic zeal to restore the lost glory of this country by doing the needful.
“This is not the time to be lost in the euphoria of office appointment but a time for results and progress that impact massively on the masses positively.
He asked the incoming ministers to seize momentum to show that Nigeria can work.
“They must transform all the relevant sectors of our national lives, putting Nigeria and Nigerians first in their programmes and policies with the aim of creating the atmosphere that genuinely encourages sustainable growth and development.
“This can be actualised by aligning with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu agenda so as not to work at cross purposes,” he said.
The Rivers State Chairman of TUC, Foster Onyefuru, said though the list is dominated by politicians, he was happy with the inclusion of a former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in the list.
He said: “I’m happy for the inclusion of Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike based on his track record in Rivers State as a governor. If we go by his measurable records in Rivers State, then one will say that his appointment is a good choice if he will be given a free hand to work.
“Lastly, Nigerians have very high expectations and I pray that the nominees will recognise that and offer selfless service to the country. We urge the career civil servants in the respective ministries to support the political appointees to succeed for the sake of the country.”
However, a rights activist in the state, Celestine Akpobari, said the President should have nominated more new faces in line with the “Renewed Hope” mantra of his government.
The state publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sydney Gbara described Wike’s nomination as a welcome development.
“His Excellency has distinguished himself as a leader. He has shown capacity in several areas as a leader to the extent that his influence and leadership is known within and outside the shores of the country,” Gbara said.
Obhakhan: Tinubu has taken right step
The Secretary of Public Affairs Directorate of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2023 general elections, Gideon Obhakhan, said President Tinubu had taken the right step in the right direction with the caliber of his ministerial nominees.
He said the choice of Abubakar Momoh from Imiegba in Estako East Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial District, has brightened the chances of Edo Central Senatorial District’s governorship aspirants for the September 2024 election.
Ministerial list represents Nigeria’s diversity, Okumagba says
A chieftain in Delta State, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, called the ministerial list an inclusive and broad-based representation of the nation’s diversity.
Okumagba, a former Commissioner of Finance in the state, said the President has “brought these remarkable skills and attributes to bear by crossing the aisle in constituting his cabinet, thereby renewing the hopes of Nigerians for a more prosperous nation where no one will be left behind.”
He expressed optimism that on confirmation by the Senate, they will give strong impetus to the “Nigerian Ideal” agenda of President Tinubu’s commitment to “peace and prosperity of our country through an inclusive national reconciliation process; remarkable focus on confronting insecurity through a reform of the sector; growing the economy; and tackling multi-dimensional poverty, which would boost Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and thereby create a robust middle class that will drive our country’s economic rebound.”
Peoplesmind
