COVER
Senate Withholds el-Rufai, Two Others’ Confirmation over Security Concerns
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate yesterday confirmed 45 out of the 48 ministerial nominees sent it by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with security checks blocking former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and two others from confirmation.
The other two nominees affected by the security checks are former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Sani Danladi and the former Executive Director of Nexim Bank, Stella Okotete who is from Delta State.
President Tinubu had transmitted 47 names in two batches to the Senate, through his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Monday last week.
Afterwards, the presidency withdrew the name of Dr.
Maryam Shetty from Kano and replaced her with Dr Mariya Bunkure, her secondary school mate at the Kano Foundation School.The confirmation follows after the screening and approval of the nominees by the Senate, after a week of thorough drills of the nominees from Monday last week until yesterday.
The Senate however had it smooth with all the nominees except Barrister Festus Keyamo, who was the last to be screened. The Senate had earlier raised a motion to stand down his screening and subsequent confirmation over his unruly attitude and negligence to invitations earlier sent him in the 9th senate.
The motion so moved by Darlington Nwokeocha (Labour Party, Abia Central) and seconded by Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) threw the Senate into disarray, prompting some to leave the red chambers. The situation was hitherto brought to normalcy by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio who called for a two hour break so they could discuss the matter off camera.
Within the break period however, the Senate President immediately drove off for a rendezvous with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, in company of Senate Leader, Bamidele Opeyemi.
Upon his return from the meeting with President Tinubu, the Senate resumed the screening of Festus Keyamo who apologized for his negligence of the parliamentarians during the previous session. After his apologies, the Senators forgave him and told him to “go and sin no more”.
He was then screened and subsequently approved and confirmed with the other 45 nominees earlier screened.
Our correspondent reports that the Senate had screened Dr. Mariya Bunkure, from Kano State earlier in the day, before Festus Keyamo. Dr. Bunkure was brought in as a replacement for Dr. Maryam Shetty without any official explanation by the federal government.
The list of the 45 ministerial nominees as confirmed by the Senate through Godswill Akpabio, Senate President are: Ekperikpe Ekpo (Akwa Ibom), Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa), Betta Edu (Cross River), John Enoh (Cross River), Abubakar Momoh (Edo), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Tahir Mamman (Adamawa), Yusuf M Tuggar (Bauchi), Ali Pate ( Bauchi), Festus Keyamo (Delta), Abubakar Kyari (Borno), Alkali Ahmed Saidu (Gombe), Uba Maigari Ahmadu (Taraba), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Mohamed Badaru(Jigawa), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger), Mariya Bunkure ( Kano), Abdullahi T Gwarzo (Kano), Ahmad Dangiwa (Katsina), Hanatu Musawa (Katsina), Yusuf Tanko Sununu (Kebbi), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Bello M Goronyo (Sokoto) and Bello Matawwalle (Zamfara).
Others are Nkiru Onyejiocha (Abia), Uju Ohaneye (Anambra), David Umahi ( Ebonyi), Chief Uche Nnaji (Enugu), Doris Uzoka (Imo), Dele Alake (Ekiti), Tunji Alausa (Lagos), Lola Ade John (Lagos), Ishak Salako (Ogun), Bosun Tijjani (Ogun), Olawale Edun (Ogun), Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo(Ondo), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Adebayo Adelabu (Oyo), Joseph Utsev (Benue), Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo (FCT), Shuaibu Audu (Kogi), Lateef Fagbemi (Kwara), Imaan S-Ibrahim (Nasarawa) and Mohammed Idris (Niger).
Keyamo Undergoes Screening After Apology to Lawmakers
A ministerial nominee from Delta State, and immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, was yesterday screened by the Senate after he apologised to the lawmakers over an alleged misconduct to the legislature.
Keyamo’s screening at plenary yesterday followed his apology to lawmakers over his conduct in 2020, when it was said he ignored summons of both chambers of National Assembly to explain disbursement of N52 billion public works programme of the Federal Government.
Earlier, the Senate had dissolved into closed session over motion to suspend the screening of Keyamo.
The motion, which generated altercation amongst the senators, was sponsored by Sen. Dalington Nwokocha (LP-Abia).
Nwokocha had raised a motion for suspension of Kayemo’s screening pending investigation and explanation on how disbursement of N52 billion public works programme to Nigerians across 774 local governments during his tenure as Minister of State, Labour and Productivity.
On resumption from closed session, Keyamo apologised to the lawmakers over his conduct in 2020 to both chambers of National Assembly, when he was invited to explain the ministry’s activities on the public works programme.
He thereafter explained payment to the beneficiaries of the public works programme was made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) direct to the beneficiaries account with their verifiable BVN.
According to him, every beneficiary was duly registered and documented and could be verified by the Senate.
President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio noted that government was a continuum, adding that the Senate has the right to investigate payment of the money to the beneficiaries.
Sen. Godiya Akwasiki (SDP-Nasarawa) however urged the senate to accept the apology tendered by the nominee, given his remorseful disposition.
Sen. Alli Ndume (APC-Borno) thereafter moved a motion that senate accept the apology of the nominee, while Sen. Jaribe Agom (PDP- Cross River) moved another motion that the nominee take leave of the senate, after his his apology was accepted by the senate, given the ruling of President of Senate.
Akpabio consequently ruled further that the nominee took a leave of the senate.
Senate thereafter dissolved into another closed session to continue the legislative business of the day.
By David Torough, Abuja
Business tycoon Aminu Alhassan Dantata yesterday donated N1.5 billion to those affected flood in Maiduguri, Borno State.Dantata who was accompanied friends and associates in Kano was received in Maiduguri by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.The businessman extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of the state especially those who lost their beloved ones to the flood.
Dantata, 96 lamented the bad economy and prayed for the peace and harmony of Borno State and Nigeria. The Borno State governor expressed heartfelt gratitude for the visit.He acknowledged that its serves as a powerful beacon of hope and solidarity during the trying times.Zulum said, “The people of Borno deeply appreciate this show of humanity by a 96-year-old to visit us.“Let me say it, Our Baba has donated the sum of N1.5 billion to support the flood victims. May Allah bless and reward you with Aljannah.”This donation comes after Dantata’s nephew, Aliko Dangote also donated N1 billion to the flood victims.Meanwhile, Borno State government has raised the alarm, saying the people are at the risk of health crisis.Government has warned residents against eating vegetables from flooded areas because they are contaminated.A statement posted by the Ministry of Information and Internal Security on Facebook yesterday advised the public to abide by the warning for their wellbeing.The statement read, “Due to the recent flood disaster, vegetables from flooded areas are seriously contaminated with harmful substances, including sewage, dead bodies, chemicals and bacteria.“Consuming these contaminated vegetables can lead to serious health risks, including waterborne diseases, food poisoning, and other health complications. “To protect your health and safety, we urge you to avoid buying vegetables from flooded areas; only purchase vegetables from trusted sources and reputable markets; ensure that all vegetables are properly washed and cleaned before consumption.”Nearly 500,000 people have been displaced and more than 1 million affected by flood that recently submerged several parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.The flood, described as the worst in the state in 30 years, resulted from the collapse of Alau Dam due to high rainfalls. The disaster also killed about 80 percent of animals in a zoo in the city as some ran away.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Niger State Government has signed a $2billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Turkish company, Direkci Group for the off-taking of Soya Beans in the State.The agreement signed at the Niger State Government House, Minna was witnessed by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, officials of Direkci Group led by their MD/CEO Mr Nurullah Mahmet and other top government functionaries.
The 10-year partnership, which will cost $200 million per year and $2 billion for the 10 years period, is under the Niger Foods, and is expected to boost agriculture in the State, create job opportunities and improve the economic status of local farmers. Bago appreciated the Turkish Government for the willingness to invest in Niger State.According to him, “This collaboration is a game-changer for Niger State and we are confident it will significantly reduce unemployment and boost food security.”He said going forward, the state government was equally willing to partner with Turkey in other areas beyond agriculture.The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Turkish company, Mr Nurullah Mahmet said they have been in agric business for decades and have established their presence in Nigeria for 17 years.He said they were attracted by the agricultural programmes of the state and partnering with the state would be mutually beneficial for both parties.He commended Bago for providing the needed impetus for agric investment in the state.The MD said they were willing to put in $10 billion in agriculture investment for the next 10 years and would work with the government of their country to provide security for their investment in the state.The Chairman, Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun disclosed that the Turkish firm will buy 500,000 tonnes of soya beans each year for 10 years.He said the agreement would empower local farmers by providing them with seeds and fertilizers, ensuring a guaranteed market for their produce.Adigun revealed that the Turkish firm was also investing in a 100,000 hectare Green House project with cold chain facility at the agro processing zone with an annual output of about 160,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables such as tomato and pepper among others.He added that the group will also establish a total of 2.5 million chicken production facility including eggs and feed mills production in two phases.Adigun said the partnership would establish 30,000 hectares of soya beans farms with irrigation systems in Adunu, Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.He announced that already, the group had ordered the first chicken house for 500,000 chickens and would be functional in six months time, while 2000 green houses were already being shipped as the group was also to provide $50 million as direct support to farmers.The agreement, according to Adigun will include the company providing security for their investment in areas prone to insecurity in the state.
From Sylvia Udegbunam EnuguEnugu State Government and Jelfah Nigeria Ltd yesterday signed N40 billion deal for the revitalisation of the long-moribund state-owned Sunrise Flour Mills, Enugu.The deal signed at the Government House, Enugu saw Jelfah acquire 60 percent equity stake in Sunrise Flour Mills and is expected to invest N24 billion in the iconic mills, which went moribund since 1985 just two years after it was commissioned in 1983.
The state government keeps 40 percent based on the existing assets of the company. Speaking at the brief signing ceremony and public announcement of the transaction, the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah said this milestone, coming on the heels of the N100 billion deal to resuscitate the hitherto dying Enugu United Palm Products Limited (UPPL) is clear demonstration of his administration’s determination to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion through private sector investment.“Just a few months ago, we secured an investment size of N100 billion with a company known as Pragmatic Palms Limited, and today we have just witnessed Enugu State, again securing another investment size of N40 billion.“This investment will see Jelfah Group investing N24 billion into the existing Enugu Sunrise Flour Mills. N22bn will be directed into revamping and resuscitation of the Sunrise Flower Mill, and N2 billion is going to come to the State by way of cash.“The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is also going to own 10,000 hectares of farmland, where we are going to cultivate the inputs for the flour mills such as cassava and grain.“This is a testament that when we say Enugu State is open for business, we are truly committed to it. We understand how to make a win-win deal, both for the investors and for the people of Enugu State,” Mbah stated.He assured Jelfah group of continued support, enjoining other prospective investors to come over to invest in the state.“We hope that this signals to other investors, who may still be on the fence that Enugu is actually ready for business. We are committed to not just creating the enabling environment, but also working with investors to help them derisk investments and grow their businesses,” the governor concluded.Speaking, the Chairman of Jelfah Group, Moses Saromi, said they were attracted by Governor Mbah’s vision, dynamic leadership, and speedily increasing ease of doing business in Enugu State under his leadership, saying that Jelfah was in a hurry to transform Sunrise Mills to a centre of excellence.“Your policies have unlocked new opportunities for private sector participation, and Jelfah is proud to be part of this progressive movement.“This acquisition of 60 percent equity not only aligns with Jelfah’s long-term vision, but also furthers the governor’s ambition of empowering the people, revitalising moribund assets, and ensuring sustainable development. And together with our consortium partners, our goal is to transform Sunrise Flour Mills into a centre of excellence, harnessing our collective expertise to drive growth and value creation.“So, we firmly believe that this partnership will catalyse positive change, spark job creation, elevate local production capacities, and contribute significantly to the socio-economic advancement of Enugu State,” he said.“We have worked hard in the last months to get to this point. We have a short term, medium term, and a long term plan for the flour mills. Activities will start in earnest. In another 90 days, you are going to experience a lot of movements and activities with regards to the revitalisation of the flour mills.“Our activities will include recruitment of people, who will run the plant, indigenes of the state, obviously. And as the governor rightly said, we are creating a model that will provide the inputs for the mills, such as the 10,000 hectres of farmlands to cultivate all the inputs for the mills,” he said.
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