The Senate has declared the postponement of the screening of the seven new ministerial nominees, appointed by President Tinubu, which was scheduled to take place today, Tuesday,2024.
The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, while giving reasons for the postponement of the screening in a statement personally signed by him, is based on the need to allow the nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercise.
The statement, titled “Postponement of Ministerial Screening,” reads thus: “The scheduled screening of ministerial nominees has been postponed by the Senate.
“This is to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises.”
The Senate in the statement further acknowledged the understanding of the public in understanding and patience shown to the matter.
“The screening has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12 noon prompt. We appreciate your understanding and patience,” it stated.
The names of the new seven ministerial nominees recently submitted to the Senate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are as follows : Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour and Employment); Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State, Foreign Affairs); and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade, and Investment).
Other nominees include : Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development); Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development); and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (State, Education).
Reports gathered shows that the nominees started to arrive at the National Assembly complex with their family members, friends, and acquaintances at around 9 am today.
Upon the announcement of the postponed screening excerise, the disappointed and already prepared nominees and their entourage hung around the premises for a while taking pictures and videos with family, friends, colleagues, well-wishers.
The President removed Yusuf Sununu as Minister of State for Education and reassigned him as the Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, while Oatunji Alausa was removed as Minister of State, Health and reassigned as the Minister of Education.
Tinubu also reassigned Uba Maigari Ahmadu as Minister of State, Regional Development, from his previous portfolio as Minister of State, Steel Development, while Sports Minister John Enoh was reassigned as the new Minister of State, Trade and Investment.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim was removed as Minister of State, Police Affairs and reassigned as Minister of Women Affairs, while Aodele Olawande was elevated as Minister of Youth Development from his initial portfolio as Minister of State for Youth Development.
Minister of State, Environment, Iziak Salako was reassigned as Minister of State, Health.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, was reassigned as Minister of State Finance to deputised the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
