Senate Approves All Seven New Ministerial Nominees

The senate has confirmed the appointment of all seven ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu, submitted to the upper chamber last week for accelerated consideration.

Among the appointees was Bianca Ojukwu, former beauty queen, diplomat, and widow of the late Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu. Representing Anambra State, Ojukwu’s nomination as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs drew significant attention, particularly from senators representing Nigeria’s Southeast region, who praised the historic move as a sign of unity and reconciliation.

The former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Spain quickly settles in fielding questions from senators with the most profound from the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio on the deplorable state of most of Nigeria’s missions abroad.

The diplomat confirmed the poor state of the missions and called on the federal government to provide funds to keep the embassy buildings in decent condition.

Ojukwu hails from Anambra state in Nigeria’s Southeast and the daughter of former Governor of Anambra State, Christian Onoh.

Senators from the Southeast hailed her nomination, with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) calling it a “government of national unity” step that could enhance national integration. Her late husband, Odumegwu Ojukwu, had been a prominent leader in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and a presidential candidate under the party’s platform.

Ojukwu was confirmed along with six others, first of whom was Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, designated Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Next was Mohammed Dingyadi who served as Minister of Police in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In Tinubu’s cabinet, he is expected to supervise the ministry of Labour and Employment.

The Senate also confirmed Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing Development and Idi Maiha as Minister for the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development.

Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole from Lagos State was next to take the stand. As Minister of Industry , Trade and Investments, she hopes to focus on job creations and a business environment that will encourage Foreign Direct Investments as well as growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the country.

The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Suwaiba Ahmad, as the Minister of State for Education, ending more than 4 hours of screening and confirmation hearings exercise.

The confirmation of the 7 new ministerial nominees follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent reshuffle of his cabinet, which saw the dismissal of five of his cabinet members and with the confirmation of the 7 new members by the Senate, expectations are high it will be enough to inject the right impetus into the government.

Omor Bazuaye and Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

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