The Senate has screened and thereafter confirmed the appointment of Mr. Shaaka Chira as Auditor-General of the federation.
Coming under section 86 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended, President Bola Tinubu endorsed the recommendation of the Federal Civil Service Commission that placed Mr Chira ahead of other candidates during vigorous examination and screening exercise.
Also screened and confirmed at the plenary on Wednesday were seven out of ten Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
They were Mr. Etekamba Umoren (Akwa-Ibom State), Mr. Idahoans Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo State), Barr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ekitti State), Mr. Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aii (Gombe State), Mr. Shehu Wahab (Kwara State), Mr. Aminu Kasimi Idris (Nasarawa State), and Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq (Niger State).
Their screening and confirmation followed the consideration and approval of a motion by Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) at the Committee level.
President Tinubu had written the Senate to screen and confirm their nominations for their respective assignments.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abdullahi Gumel led the nominees into the chamber.
Before their screening and confirmation, Senate suspended its rule to allow the admittance of the nominees and other guest into the chamber.
Each of the nominees gave brief background about themselves, after asking questions from the senators, they were confirmed for the respective assignments.
Mr. Chira said the major problem facing the Auditor General’s office is funding which the Legislature promised to look into.
“The major problem facing the office is lack of fund to run it activities”He said
After the screening, the Senate, who expressed satisfaction with the caliber of people that appeared before them and commended President Tinubu for nominating them to serve in various capacities.
The President of the Senate, Senato Godswill Akpabio, who presided plenary in his remarks after their confirmation said their appointment was a call to service.
He urged them not to disappoint Mr President and Nigerians while urging them to bring in their best to the service of the country.
The Senate also received and considered a report of the Ad-NOC Committee on Abuse of Firearms by the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Five bills sponsored by different Senators were also read for considerations at the plenary.
Code of Conduct Bureau Act (Repeal And Re-enactment) Bill, 2023, Federal Orthopedic Hospitals Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Federal University of Education (Technical) Gombe (Establishment) Bill, 2023, and National Agricultural Land Development Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023. All scales first readings.
Lateefah Ibrahim
