LIVE: Nigeria Senate Continues Ministerial Screening

The Senate will today, October 27, continue another round of ministerial screening as more nominees are expected to answer question raised on the floor of the House.

A little drama took centre stage at the last ministerial screening exercise after former governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi kept PDP senators mum as he answered questions.

In all, 25 ministerial nominees have been screened while 18 have been confirmed as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The 18 confirmed ministers are: Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom state), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state), Audu Ogbeh (Benue state), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi state), Osagie Ehanire (Edo state), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano state), Lai Mohammed (Kwara state), Amina J Mohammed (Gombe state), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa state) and Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa state), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos state), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta state), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi state), Chris Ngige (Anambra state), Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba state), Solomon Dalong (Plateau state), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun state), Hadi Sirika (Katsina state).

However, six nominees are expected to take turns today in the screening exercise.

Speaking outside the Red Chamber, Senator Babajide Omoworare, chairman committee Rules and Business said: “Six nominees will be screened today, while the remaining five will be taken tomorrow. At the conclusion of the ministerial screening on Wednesday, October 28, the Senate can then focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners.”

Chat212 is live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the screening exercise. Refresh your browser for fresh update.

12:19: Adewole says: “We can reduce the rate of Infant Mortality and Maternal Mortality to an acceptable rate.”

12:17: Adewole says: “What we need is a well updated, well upgraded and a well functional Health Care System. About 60% of Nigerians go to private clinics, we need to regulate the Health Care System in Nigeria.”

12:15: Adewole says: “We need to include Public Health Education in everything we do.”

12:14: Adewole says: “I am one of those who believe that leadership cannot be stolen or grabbed.”

12:13: Adewole says: “Prostrate Cancer is the leading form of cancer among men.”

12:12: Adewole says: “Spontaneous abortions occur because the pregnancy is deformed.”

12:08: More questions for Professor Isaac Adewole.

12:07: Adewole on being an Activist: “I still remain an Activist, the only thing that has changed is that I am more matured.”

12:06: Adewole on Abortion: “Lots of women die from abortion, we need to create a sexual education to enlighten these girls to make them sin no more.”

12:04: Adewole on Cancer: “People need to understand cancer, we can manage it if we do. Though we have cancer among young ones, but cancer is a disease of the old age.”

12:02: Adewole on Cutlism: “We should look at intelligence methods and also enlightened parents. It worked for us at University of Ibadan.”

12:00: Adewole says: “We need to put money in Education. We need to recognize Education as Vital to the Economy.”

11:58: Adewole says: “We need to follow through that University are well funded and staff motivated.”

11:55: Adewole says: “I have dedicated my life into preventing issues such as maternal mortality, infant mortality. I promise to serve with patriotism and commitment; I shall bring my modest experience to serve.”

11:50: Professor Adewole is now being quizzed by Senators.

11:44: Saraki asks Professor Adewole to introduce himself.

Professor Isaac Adewole undergoing screening.

11:42: First to be screened today is Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole (Osun state). He is the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

11:40: After discussing other matters, the Senate moves into the committee of a whole to commence the ministerial screening. Six nominees will be screened today. They will be screened in this order: Isaac Folorunso, Bawa Bwari, Geoffrey Onyeama, Zainab Ahmed, Dan Ali, Usani Uguru

11:17: Senate Leader Ali Ndume and Clerk of the Senate moves ahead for the Presentation of Six (6) Bills facing their respective First Readings as the Senate discuss other matters before the ministerial screening commences.

11:10: Senate President Bukola Saraki welcomes students of Akwa-Ibom State University who are present in the gallery to observe Senate Proceedings.

11:08: Saraki reads an announcement from President Buhari for an appointment of National Population Commission.

11:05: Senate Whip Senator Adeyeye calls for order, urges the distinguished senators to take their respective seats.

10:59: Saraki takes the Official Prayer for the day.

10:55: The Senate President Bukola Saraki has arrived. He exchanges hand shakes with distinguished Senators as he makes his way to his seat.

10:45: Some Distinguished Senators already seated in the gallery as the atmosphere is calm going into today’s ministerial screening.