Teddy Oscar, Abuja
In what may seem like a surprise ministerial nomination, President Goodluck Jonathan has forwarded to the Senate the names of the corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka, for a ministerial appointment.
Jonathan also nominated Dr. Suleiman Abubakar, and has sent the names of the two nominees for screening and confirmation as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The two appointees hail from Anambra and Kwara states, respectively.
Abubakar is a lecturer at the University of Abuja.
The nominations were contained in a letter Jonathan wrote to the Senate, which was read on the floor of the Red Chambers at plenary by the Senate President, David Mark.
In line with the Federal Character principle, Chidoka may be a replacement for the former minister of aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, while Abubakar is expected to fill the slot of Kwara State, which has been vacant since the former minister of sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
Similarly, Jonathan also forwarded for confirmation the name of the acting director general, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), as the substantive DG of the commission.
Jonathan further forwarded the name of Mr Ebenezer Fobi for appointment as a commissioner, representing the South-South geopolitical zone in the PENCOM.
The Pension Reform Act provides that the commission shall comprise a part time chairman, a director general, four commissioners and seven (7) part time members.
The Act also provides that the appointment of the chairman, the DG and other members of the commission, other ex-officio members shall be made by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Jonathan said the request was in line with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004, following the expiration of the term of the acting DG of PENCOM and the commissioner representing South-South.
“In line with the provisions of Pension Reform Act 2004, I present the nomination of Mrs. Chinelo Anoha-Amazu and Mr Ebenezer Fobi as a director general and commissioner, respectively, in the National Pension Commission for the kind consideration and confirmation by the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is my hope that the request would receive the usual expeditious consideration and confirmation of the distinguished senators,” Jonathan said.
