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Meet the seven ministerial nominees recommended by Buhari to Senate

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3 years ago

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday confirmed that none of the former ministers who resigned in pursuit of elective offices would be returning to posts they once held. The president sent seven new names to the senate as their replacements.

Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio and Emeka Nwajiuba left their ministerial roles in pursuit of the APC presidential ticket for the 2023 election, which Bola Tinubu won.

Uche Ogah exited his role as the minister of state for mines and steel development to pursue the Abia governorship bid, while Tayo Alasoadura also quit his position to contest for the APC senatorial ticket in Ondo.

To take their places are seven individuals ranging from former lawmakers to party chieftains.

Here are short profiles of all the seven nominees.

 

HENRY IKECHUKWU IKOH (ABIA)

Ikoh was a former commissioner for industry, science and technology in Abia until 2020 when he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

When he left the PDP, Ikoh said he made the decision because he had “always been sidelined in my ward, local government area and state party decisions”.

During the build-up to the APC national convention, Ikoh was nominated by the Abia chapter of the party for the role of national vice-chairman in the south-east.

However, he was beaten to the position by Ijeomah Arodiogbu, who was elected based on consensus.

 

UMANA OKON UMANA (AKWA IBOM STATE)

Umana is a former commissioner for finance in Akwa Ibom and was also appointed secretary to the state government (SSG) when Godswill Akpabio was the governor.

He resigned from the position in 2013 and joined APC a year later. He was the party’s candidate in the 2015 Akwa Ibom governorship election and lost to Emmanuel Udom.

He is currently the managing director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA).

 

JOSEPH NKAMA (EBONYI)

Nkama is a former special adviser to David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, in the Abuja liaison office.

The ministerial nominee was promoted to the position of commissioner for investment in 2019.

He remained in the role until 2021 when the governor dissolved most of the members of his cabinet.

 

GOODLUCK NANAH OPIAH (IMO)

Opiah was the eighth speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.

He was appointed chairman of the board of Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI) by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013.

Opiah was later elected as the lawmaker representing the Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru west federal constituency in the house of representatives.

 

UMAR IBRAHIM EL-YAKUBU (KANO)

Until now, El-Yakubu was President Muhammadu Buhari’s senior special assistant on the house of representatives matters. He was appointed to the role in 2019.

El-Yakubu was also a member of the house of representatives from 2003 to 2007.

 

ADEMOLA ADEWOLE ADEGOROYE (ONDO)

Adegoye is an indigene of Akure LGA of Ondo state.

He contested the APC primary for the Akure north/south federal constituency bye-election and lost to Mayokun Lawanson-Alade.

Adegoroye will be replacing Tayo Alasoadura on the ministerial list after the latter resigned to pursue the Ondo north senatorial seat.

 

UDOM UDI (RIVERS)

Udi was born on July 24, 1972, in Abua/Odual LGA of Rivers. He earned his first school leaving certificate in 1986 and passed his National Examination Council (NECO) exams fourteen years later, in 2000.

In 2008, he became the chairman of Abua/Odual LGA while studying management at the University of Port Harcourt. He was re-elected for another term in 2011.

He is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Opelia Farms Limited.

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Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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10 hours ago

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December 29, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.

Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.

Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.

“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.

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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.

Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.

He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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2 days ago

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December 27, 2024

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.

The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.

Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.

“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.

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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.

Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:

Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.

Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).

In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.

The application process opens on 27 December 2024 and will close on 2 January 2025. Interested candidates can apply via the official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.customs.gov.ng.

The NCS reiterated its commitment to a transparent recruitment process and encouraged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity.

 

Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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5 days ago

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December 24, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.

“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.

The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.

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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.

Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.

There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.

In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.

 

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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