Senate receives list of Obanikoro, seven others as ministerial nominees

The Senate at resumption of plenary on Tuesday received a list of eight ministerial nominees from the Presidency in accordance with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution for consideration and approval.
The nominees include former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Lagos State; Sen. Patricia Akwashiki, Nasarawa State; Prof. Nicholas Ada, Benue and Col. Augustine Akobundu (rtd), Abia.
Others are Mr Fidelis Nwankwo, Ebonyi; Mrs Hauwau Lawan, Jigawa; Mr Kenneth Kobani, Rivers; and Sen. Joel Ikenya, Taraba.
The new ministerial nominees will replace former ministers who resigned their positions.
They are former ministers of Information, Mr Labaran Maku; Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu.
Others are the former minister of state for Education Nyesom Wike; minister of state for Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Ortom.
The others are the former of minister of state for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, and minister of state for Niger Delta, Mr Dairus Ishaku.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Sen. Enyinaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), said the senate would be screening the ministerial nominees next week.
Meanwhile, Senate received request from President Goodluck Jonathan for consideration of Mr Ibrahim Abba as Grand Khadi, Sharia Court of Appeal for FCT in accordance with Section 261(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
Also, Senate received a request for confirmation of Mr Toye Olofintuyi as a member of the Civil Service Commission, representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states.
Similarly, Senate received a request for the confirmation of the appointment of Mr Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin as a member of the National Population Commission in accordance with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution.