The Senate has screened and confirmed the seven ministerial nominees President Muhammadu Buhari sent to it last week.
The seven minister-designates include Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh (Abia), Umana Okon Umana (Akwa Ibom), and Ekumankama Joseph Nkama (Ebonyi).
Others are Goodluck Nana Opiah (Imo), Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub (Kano), Ademola Adewole Adegoroye (Ondo), and Udi Odum (Rivers).
While responding to questions from senators, Ikoh noted that in tackling job creation, efforts must be made to grant operational licenses to operators of modular refineries in the country.
The nominee from Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umana, who is the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, underscored the need for Nigeria to step up its production capacity to boost foreign exchange earnings and reduce the country’s reliance on importation.
Ekumankama Joseph Nkama admonished young Nigerians to tap into new areas of investment, to foster self-reliance and productivity, particularly in the country’s trade sector.
On the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nkama urged the Federal Government and the union to reach a compromise.
The ministerial nominee also asked the National Assembly to provide additional funding for the Education sector to enable it to meet some of its pressing needs.
