Tinubu writes Senate to confirm Bianca Ojukwu, Yilwatda, five others as ministers

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the Senate to consider and confirm seven nominees for appointment as ministers.

Senator Godswill Akpabio read President Tinubu’s letter of request during plenary.

The ministerial nominees are Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Mr. Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour & Employment); Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State Foreign Affairs); and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade, and Investment).

Others are Mr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha Llivestock Development; Mr. Yusuf Ata (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development); and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (Education).

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a former Ambassador to Spain, is a prominent member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Bianca, the widow of Dim Emeka Chukemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, will become the second opposition party member in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) if confirmed.

Akpabio has referred the nominees to the Committee of the Whole House for expedited legislative review.

The nominees are expected to undergo screening during the plenary session scheduled for next Wednesday.

Persecondnews recalls that the President on Wednesday sacked five ministers, nominated seven, scrapped two ministries, and merged others.

He announced eight far-reaching actions to reinvigorate the administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency.

The Ministry of Nigeria Delta Development was renamed the Ministry of Regional Development to oversee the activities of all the regional development commissions.

The Ministry of Sports Development was wound up, with its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission.

The Federal Ministry of Tourism was merged with the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to become the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.

President Tinubu also reassigned the portfolios of 10 ministers.