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| (L-R) SSG, Alh. Isiaka Gold, HOS, Zahra Omar and Chief of Staff, Alh. AbdulWahab Babatunde |
The Senate President read the list on the floor of the Senate this morning.
Those on the list are: former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Chris Ngige, APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed, Senator Udo Udoma Udo, Abubakar Salami SAN, Ogbonna Onu, Aisha Alhassan, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, Kemi Adeosun, Adebayo Shittu, Solomon Dalong, Audu Ogbeh, Amina Ibrahim, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Suleiman Adamu, Ogbonnaya Onu and Ibrahim Usman Jubril.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Doctor Bukola Saraki has announced the screening of ministerial nominees on the list to commence on Tuesday, 13th October, 2015.
Hitherto, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki who received the ministerial list on behalf of the Senate from the Chief of Staff to the President, Alh. Abba Kyari and the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang had not made the content of the seal enveloped public and he did say that the enveloped would not be unveiled until Tuesday at the floor of the Senate.
In fact, there are arguments as to the source of the disclosure of the names of who is who in the list but the fact remains that all are speculations unless and until the official pronouncement is made by the Senate President. Though, for every rumour there is bound to be element of truth!
Surprisingly, however, there are already mischief makers who are selfish, self-serving and bent on retarding the progress of other individuals. They never renege in their pull him down syndrome to see that others do not rise above them. Hence they engage campaign of calumny and character assassination, all in attempts to see that others do not succeed in their match to greatness.
Without shadow of doubt, the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers Mr. President to choose Ministers to reflect the federal character of the country and not to seek nomination from certain individuals or group. Indeed, it is the discretion of the President to choose his cabinet members without prejudice. Little wonder why some certain individuals are crying foul on the speculated choice of former Governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in Oyo State, Barrister Abdur-raheem Adebayo Shittu (The Bayo You Can Trust) as if he is not qualified and competent to be a member of President Muhammadu Buhari cabinet.
Barrister Adebayo Shittu, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice under Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja administration, had served the state and Nigeria in numerous capacities. Barrister Shittu at the age of 26 elected as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly between 1979 and 1983. In fact, he was the youngest honourable member in the parliament then and made quality representation as well as valuable contributions which made him a man to be reckoned with at the floor.
Also, the Saki-born lawyer had served as Oyo State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture between October and December, 1983 and delegate to the National Political Reform Conference of 2005 under President Olusegun Obasanjo where he had outstanding proposals to his credit.
It is therefore worrisome to see sponsored advertorials and news reports in response to the recent media reports of the ministerial nominee from Oyo State in person of Barrister Adebayo Shittu. President Muhammadu Buhari and distinguished Senators should disregard the hue and cry of petitioners in confirming the appointment of the competent Nigerian.
The questions that are begging for answers are: Is Barrister Adebayo Shittu not a card carrying member of the APC? Is he not qualified to hold public office? Is Barrister Shittu not competent to be a member of the Federal Executive Council? Or are the sponsors of the Advertorial doubting the competence and judgement of President Muhammadu Buhari in nominating his cabinet members? Another important question that needs to be answered is when last was a minister nominated from the Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State? Oke-Ogun, just like other regions of the state deserves a fair representation in the political configuration of the country.
Barrister Abdur-raheem Adebayo Shittu is a man of the people, loves by masses across political, religious and regional divides within Oyo State for his boldness, team-player, dexterities, steadfastness, uprightness and integrity. No wonder Mr. President who had said his cabinet members would be people of proven integrity was reported to be settled down for Barrister Shittu (The Bayo You Can Trust).
Consequently, it will be a good omen for the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress at Oyo State, South-West region and National levels as well as contribute to the success of President Muhammadu Buhari administration in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in the era of change if the choice of Barrister Adebayo Shittu is sail through as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A statement made available shows that those to be sworn-in include the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Babatunde Yusuf, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Leke Ogungbe, the Head of Service, Hajia Zahra Omar and fourteen Special Advisers.
Some of the Special Advisers are:
1) Barrister Gobir Hassan Ahmed, Special Adviser, Labour Matters
2) Alhaji Aliu Zakari Gunu, Special Adviser, Local Government
3) Mr. Aanu Ayodeji Ibiwoye, Special Adviser, Agriculture and Rural Water Support Services
4) Alhaji Musa Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser, Rural Energy Support Services
5) Alhaji Abdullahi Duro Muhammed, Special Adviser, Emergency and Relief
6) Mr. Amos Justus Sayo, Special Adviser, Forestry Services
7) Alhaji Manzuma Kawu Abdulmalik, Special Adviser, Environmental Services
8) Alhaji Amusa Bello, Special Adviser, Security
9) Barrister Suleiman Atolagbe, Special Adviser Legal Matters
10) Alhaji Usman Bibire-Ajape, Special Adviser-Political Matters
The formal administration of Oath of Office is a statutory requirement for all public appointments of government.
The event is holding at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital.
Pix from Ekiti Govt House
The Emir’s reaction followed the recent stampede in Saudi Arabia that killed several pilgrims, including about 70 Nigerians.
He also reiterated his earlier position that blacks, particularly Nigerians were not responsible for the stampede.
The Emir, who quoted several verses of the Qur’an, said refusal to perform the stoning of devil ritual does not in any way invalidate one’s pilgrimage.
He said, “During the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.
“So, if the Prophet can give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this untoward hardship and death?
“Therefore, it will be part of my recommendation to the Federal Government that, if we cannot get accommodation close to Jamrat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.
“If one deliberately refuses to perform the stoning of the devil ritual, all he needs to do is just to slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram.”
