The Nigeria Senate will conduct the final lap of ministerial screening today, October 28 as five nominees are expected to answer series of questions raised on the floor of the House.
Naij.com recalls that a mild drama occurred yesterday, October 27, as one of the ministerial nominees, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani responsed to a question where he was asked if he has worked with any PDP senators.
Usani’s response: “God Forbid”, was however greeted with extreme disgust among the PDP senators. But the ministerial nominee was quick to tender an apology for his remark.
31 ministerial nominees have been screened with 18 of them confirmed as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The 18 confirmed ministers 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 state), 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).
Naij.com is live at the Red Chamber to bring you live coverage of today’s ministerial screening exercise. Always refresh your browser for new updates.
11:40: The Senate resolves into the committee of a whole to commence the ministerial screening.
11:30: The Senate has now moved to debate the Motion on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport, Abuja Second Runway Contract by Senator Dino Melaye
11:27: However, in a dramatic fashion, Senator Ibrahim Gobir of Sokoto East has moved the Motion to withdraw the earlier petition against Aisha Abubakar. The Motion is seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani and so the ministerial nominee is now eligible to be screened. Saraki informs Senator Anyanwu not to bother about the report of the petition.
11:25: The Senate Leader, Senator Ndume guides the House regarding public petitions. He says the Senate should not deliberate on a matter in Court.
11:20: Senate President Bukola Saraki invites Senator Anyawu, chairman of the ethics comittee, privileges and Public Petitions to submit a report of the petition against one of the ministerial nominee, Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state. Senator Anyawu however reveals the report isn’t ready and will be made available tomorrow, October 29. His statement is however greeted with disgust from some senators.
11:16: Before commencing the Ministerial screening, the Senate are right about discussing other matter raised in the House. Senate Leader Ali Ndume and the Clerk of the Senate has moved to Present a total of 5 (Five) Bills for their respective First Readings. The Bills are: Prevention and Punishment of Torture Bill 2015 (SB. 47) by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), Nigerian Biodiversity Bill 2015 (SB. 79) by Senator Theodore Orji (Abia Central), Fire Arms Act CAP F28 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill 2015 (SB. 85) by Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central), Counterfeit Goods Bill 2015 (SB. 117) by Senator Isah Misau (Bauchi Central), National Ecological Agency (Est. Etc.) Bill 2015 (SB, 121) by Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central).
11:15: Speaking outside the Red Chamber, Senator Babajide Omoworare, chairman committee Rules and Business said the final five nominees will be screened today, including Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state.
He added: “At the conclusion of the ministerial screening, the Senate can then focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners. From all indications, the screening of the INEC chairman and commissioners will hold tomorrow, October 29.”
11:09: Saraki announces the presence of Staff and Students of St. Mike Anglican School and Christ Ambassador College in the Senate Gallery.
11:06: Saraki reads a letter from Senators representing Sokoto State endorsing a minsiterial nominee Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state. Several petitions have been filed against her candidacy.
11:01: Saraki takes the Opening Prayer.
11:00: Senate President Bukola Saraki just arrived the Senate Gallery, He is seen exchanging pleasantries with Distinguished Senators.
10:55: Distinguished Senators are spotted greeting and chatting up one another.
10:35: Some Distinguished Senators already seated in the gallery as the atmosphere is calm going into the last day of the ministerial screening exercise. Senate President Bukola Saraki is reportedly on his way to the Red Chamber

www.naij.com/620351-day-7-nigeria-senate-conducts-last-lap-ministerial-screening-live-update.html

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12:09: Enelamah on unemployment: “Our youths should be getting training that can make them equipped. The most important a young man needs to get is skill.”
12:06: Enelamah says: “All growth are not equal, there is growth and there are growths. The potential of this country is enormous.”
12:05: Enelamah says: “We facing challenging times in this nation. We need shared visions.”
11:58: Enelamah now being quizzed by Senators.
11:57: Enelamah says: ‘I will work tirelessly in collaboration with other stakeholders in building a Nigeria of our dreams.”
11:56: Enelamah says: “I’m honored to be nominated.”
11:55: Enelamah says: “The tax we collect in this country is quite small.”
11:54: Enelamah says: “We need to build an economy that’s inclusive, that is an economy that will create jobs.”
11:53: Enelamah says: “Me and my generation have benefited so much from the nation and it’s time to give back.”
11:50: Saraki asks Enelamah to introduce himself.
11:45: Senate President Bukola Saraki ushers the first ministerial nominee, Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia state).

12:20: Enelamah says: “I’m a greater believer of the partnership that can occur in the private and public sector.”
12:11: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Stella Oduah and Senator Binta Garba
12:10: Enelamah says: “We need to invest in hard and soft infrastructure.”