BREAKING: Nigerian Senate Confirms 18 Ministers

The Senate today, October 14, confirmed 18 ministers after day two of the ministerial screening exercise.

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On Tuesday, October 13, the Senate screened 10 nominees: Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom state), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state), Audu Ogbeh (Benue state), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi state), Osagie Ehanire (Edo state), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano state), Lai Mohammed (Kwara state), Amina J Mohammed (Gombe state), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa state) and Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa state).

But, with 21 nominees from ‘batch A’ and 16 nominees from ‘batch B’, the screening exercise is billed to take at least three days.

Day two of the proceedings witnessed eight ministerial nominees from the first batch, address questions and issues raised at the floor of the Senate.

Prominent names who were screened today include: Aisha Alhassan, Chris Ngige, Hadi Sirika, Babatunde Fashola, Kemi Adeosun, Abubakar Malami, Solomon Dalong, Ibe Kachikwu.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari withdrew the name of immediate past deputy governor of Niger state, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, from the list of nominees to be screened today.

Shortly after the screening process. All the 18 nominees were confirmed as the ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Naij.com was live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the proceedings.

17:05: Meanwhile, a committee on ethics and privileges headed by Sam Anyanwu are expected to meet later today to look into the corruption charges levelled against former governor Rotimi Amaechi.

17:04: Bukola Saraki reads the names of all the nominees for confirmation and the senators approve the confirmation of all the 18 nominees that were screened. They are: Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom state), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state), Audu Ogbeh (Benue state), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi state), Osagie Ehanire (Edo state), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano state), Lai Mohammed (Kwara state), Amina J Mohammed (Gombe state), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa state) and Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa state), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta state), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi state), Chris Ngige (Anambra state), Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba state), Solomon Dalong (Plateau state), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun state), Hadi Sirika (Katsina state).

17:02: The Senate approves the adjournment of the screening to October 15. Barrister Adebayo Shittu and Rotimi Amaechu will be screened tomorrow.

17:00: After answering just one question from Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sirika is told to bow and go.

16:57: Sirika says: "Nigeria should have a National Carrier."

16:54: Sirika says: "Nigeria ought to have a national carrier; over 90% of tickets go to international airlines."

16:52: Saraki asks Sirika to introduce himself.

16:50: After answering several questions, Adeosun is told to bow and leave. Next to be screened is Senator Hani Sirika (Katsina state).

16:45: Adeosun says: "We need to embrace made in Nigeria products."

16:39: Adeosun says: "Our interest rates are far too high. It's very difficult to make a profit with these interest rates."

16:37: More questions for Adeosun.

16:35: Adeosun says: "We need to establish public-private-partnerships to develop Nigeria's infrastructure."

16:32: "Nigeria has to increase its revenues and improve on things like audits. 

16:30: "If we get out infrastructure right, there are opportunities. The major challenge of foreign investment is infrastructure."

16:28: "Banks are not in business to sit on government money. It's bad economics."

16:25: "We need to seek out other forms of cash transfer that faces out physical cash."

16:20: Adeosun says: "We need to chase out cash. Every where that people transact in cash, there are leakages."

16:11: Adeosun is quizzed by senators.

16:09: Saraki asks Kemi Adeosun to introduce herself.

16:07: Dalong finally told to take a bow after answering series of questions. Kemi Adeosun (Ogun state) next to be screened.

16:00: Dalong says: "Impunity has taken a centre stage. It seems it is the norm itself."

15:55: Dalong says: "Social media regulation is a very serious aspect of our law that we need to consider."

15:50: Dalong says: "Nigerian prison systems are punitive."

15:45: More questions for Dalong.

15:40: Dalong says: "Corruption is a generic term. If we do not determine what corruption is, we may smuggle morality into law. To find the root of corruption, we must examine the existing legal order."

15:35: Dalong says: "We must practice what our religions preach. Both Islam and Christianity are religions of peace."

15:28: On the crisis in Plateau, Dalong says: "An inclusive master plan is necessary."

15:25: Dalong says: "Change can only be achieved when we review existing projects and I cooperate pre-existing with new ones."

15:22: Dalong says: "If we move the country forward then we must insist things are done according to laid down rules."

15:19: Dalong says: "Haven been nominated, I offer myself for selfless service."

15:17: Dalong quizzed by senators.

15:13: Saraki asks Dalong to introduce himself.

15:10: Alhassan is asked to bow and go by the Senate president.  After her remarks, Alhassan addressed the rumour that she was nominated based on sentiment. Next to be screened is Barrister Solomon Dalong (Plateau state).

15:06: Saraki asks Alhassan to introduce herself.

15:04: Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba state) is next to be screened.

15:00: After amusing the Senate with an entertaining speech, Chris Ngige is told to take a bow.

14:58: Ngige says: "We are in the era of change and this change will be holistic."

14:55: Ngige says: "When I walked in here, I felt happy seeing my people and I say this with humility. I was among the people that constructed the name Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 and I was also among the people that constructed the vehicle All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in Nigeria. So it's wonderful seeing people representing both of my vehicles today."

14:50: Saraki asks Ngige to introduce himself.

14:47: After answering few questions from the floor of the Senate, Abubakar Malami is told to take a bow. Next is Chris Ngige (Anambra state).

14:45: Malami says: "There are greater development in the Justice system but there is need for greater co-operation of the three arms of government."

14:43: Malami says: "The justice system must be separated from external interference."

14:40: Malami says: "Nigerian legal system is imported from our colonial masters."

14:34: Malami quizzed by senators.

14:30: Saraki asks Malami to introduce himself.

14:27: Next to be screened is Abubakar Malami, SAN, from Kebbi state.

14:25: Dr Ibe Kachikwu finally takes a bow after speaking extensively on the petroleum industry.

14:20: Kachikwu says: "NNPC has one of the best retirement packages in Nigeria."

14:16: Kachikwu: "Removal of subsidy calling it unrealistic, unless this primary issues are tackled the subsidy will remain.

14:11: Kachikwu: "If confirmed minister, I will consolidate on the changes he has brought into the oil industry in the last six weeks of his appointments as GMD of NNPC."

14:05: Kachikwu: "I have no choice but to appear before the Senate when summoned because it is a matter of law."

14:00: Kachikwu says: "When we cancel contracts, it's not personal. We only source for what most benefits the country."

13:56: More questions for Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

13:54: Kachikwu says: "Transparency is key in the petroleum industry. Speed is also very important. Time is money."

13:52: Kachikwu: "I will ensure transparency, that is why we ordered PWC to carry out a forensic audit."

13:50: Kachikwu: "Over the last six weeks, we have had an increase in gas production."

13:48: Kachikwu: "I will continue to have real time weekly session to update the president on happenings of the oil sector."

13:46: Kachikwu on unpaid salaries: "I am not aware of anybody being owed salaries in NNPC."

13:45: Kachikwu says: "I will publish on a monthly bases an NNPC manual."

13:40: The majority leader, Senator Ali Ndume, moves the motion for the extension of time for the screening exercise which is seconded by the minority leader, Godswill Akpabio. Screening continues.

13:35: More questions for Kachikwu.

13:34: Kachikwu says: "40% of monies made by the NNPC are spent for its own needs."

13:32: Kachikwu: "When we cancel contracts, it is not against the individual but the structure. We want best value and transparency in our contracts"

13:30: Kachikwu: "There is however the corruption and structure problem at the NNPC."

13:27: Kachikwu: "We have well-trained individuals and people willing to change the situation of this country at the NNPC. I met people who were eager to work, people who just simply wanted leadership but there's is a lack of executive will to accomplish this."

13:23: Kachikwu: "Strategic reserves and sustenance of refineries will be our priority."

13:20: Kachikwu: "Kerosone still remain the bread and butter for an average Nigerian."

13:17: Kachikwu: "At the end of December we will compare production of refineries and shut down whichever ones are not producing."

13:15: Kachikwu: "If any refinery produce below 60%, then it's no production."

13:13: Kachikwu: "The current average performance level of our Refineries are 25-28%."

13:12: Kachikwu says: "We have enough products in storage to last us 40-50 days."

13:05: Kachikwu quizzed by Senators on his vision of the petroleum industry.

13:02: Saraki asks Kachikwu to introduce himself.

13:00: Next to be screened is Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta state).

12:55: Fashola finally told to take a bow after speaking extensively on topical issues.

12:50: Fashola says: "Where we are today, it is difficult not to go borrowing if we want to save this economy."

12:45: Fashola says: "The right to free movement is not an absolute right because there are individuals who tend to be a nuisance."

12:43: Fashola says: "We are investing more outside than we are in our country. Which is a major challenge."

12:41: Fashola says: "The choices that we make defines the results we get."

12:40: Fashola says: "Government should not get involved in needless disputes."

12:35: Fashola on infrastructure: "Our infrastructure is behind and should be looked into."

12:33: Fashola on Oshodi sanitation: "It was not the duty of one man."

12:27: More questions for Fashola.

12:23: Fashola says: "The concept to loyalty is a very strange concept. You may have to take a bullet for someone. All my life no one can say I gave my word without sticking to it."

12:21: Fashola says: "The unfortunate thing about money is that it raises confusion among brothers."

12:19: Fashola on borehole and website fraud allegation says: "As governor of Lagos state, I didn't sign cheques, none of my commissioners signed cheques."

12:17: Fashola says: "We must continue to interface with the older generation."

12:15: Fashola says: "My knowledge of Abuja is not as deep as my knowledge of Lagos. I have lived in Lagos all my life. We must commend our founding fathers for conceptualizing the creation of Abuja."

12:12: Fashola on state security: "When we get uniforms, tailors will sell."

12:07: Fashola says: "Our governors don't have capacity to enforce their own laws."

12:05: Fashola says: "There is a necessity to decentralized. The burden of managing a state becomes easier when the responsibility is shared by all."

12:03: Fashola on his tenure as Governor of Lagos state says : "I saw criminals as my competitors because Government exists to protect citizens."

12:00: Fashola says: "We need to encourage productivity to help the economy."

11:58: Fashola says: "I cannot take credit for the work in Lagos state. Our Work in Lagos was a Team Effort, I won't appropriate personal responsibility for the Good Work."

11:52: Fashola is now being quizzed by senators.

11;50: Saraki asks Fashola to introduce himself.

11:48: First to be screened today is Babatunde Raji Fashola (Lagos state).

11:45: The Senate now moves on for the ministerial screening as it moves into its Committee of a Whole.

11:37: The committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions headed by Sen. Samuel Anyawu representing Imo East has said that Amaechi's report concerning the petition signed against him is not ready.

11:30: Others include: Finance (Control and Management) Act. No. 33 1958 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2015 (SB. 84) moved by Senator Joshua Dariye, Industrial Revolution Bill 2015 (SB. 86) moved by Senator Albert Bassey, National Institute for Sports Act CAP N52 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2015 (SB. 75) by Senator Shehu Sani, and the presidential transmission bill 2015 (SB. 90) raised by Senator Boroffice

11:25: The Senate Leader and the Clerk of the Senate moves for the Presentation of 7 Bills for First Reading. Some are as follows: 1. Micro-Finance Bill 2015 (SB. 57) moved by Senator Matthew Uroghide, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (est. Etc) Bill 2015 (SB. 58) moved by Senator Philip Aduda, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council Act CAP N117 2004 (Repeal and Re Enanctment) Bill 2015 (SB. 72) moved by Senator Theodore Orji

11:20: A point of order is raised on the demise of Chief D.S.P. Alamieyesegha. The motion is moved forward to the next legislative day.

11:18: Saraki also reads an announcement from the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business Jide Omoworare on its committee meeting.

11:15: Saraki reads letter from President Muhammadu Buhari approving the withdrawal of Ahmed Musa Ibeto. The letter states: "I write to withdraw the nomination of Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto earlier submitted for confirmation as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Please accept the assurance of my esteemed consideration."

11:12: Senators are expected to approve yesterday's proceedings and to accept the outcome of the screening exercise.

11:05: Dino Melaye, the spokesman of the upper chamber and the chairman of the Senate adhoc committee on publicity, says: "The Senate has taken corrections from yesterday and used the general public as a parameter for judging ourselves. What happened yesterday is confirmation screening, after that confirmation will be done and it will be holistic. We are going to consider everyone together at the same time. We are not going to confirm in batches." 

10:53: It's a full house in the premises of the National Assembly today... Security has also been beefed up.

10:45: Senate President Bukola Saraki comes into the floor for today's proceedings. He greets fellow senators and the official prayer is taken.

Source: Legit.ng