It was a busy day in the office yesterday for many of the state governors as they scrambled to beat the deadline for the submission of the names of their commissioners-to-be to the state assemblies for confirmation.

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe) and AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara) sent the lists of the nominees to the legislative arm just hours to the expiration of the 60 days allowed them by the Constitution.

The Lagos State list contained 39 names of politicians and technocrats while those of Nasarawa and Gombe had 17 names each.

It was 15 nominees in Enugu and 20 in Kwara.

Of note is the nomination of Lloyd Ekweremadu, son of former Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, and Ada Chukwu daughter of former Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, in Enugu.

Several members of the last cabinet in Lagos State are back for the new dispensation.

Topping the list are the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; his Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Mr. Sam Egube; ex-Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; ex-Special Advisers to the Governor, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Engr. Aramide Adeyooye and Tokunbo Wahab.

Former Commissioners Rabiu Olowo (Finance), Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN (Justice and Attorney-General) and Yetunde Arobieke (Wealth Creation) did not make the new list.

Some of the fresh names on the list are Lawal Pedro (SAN), Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, Lekan Fatodu and Idris Aregbe

Below is the full list

1. Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo

2. Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun

3. Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi

4. Mr. Gbenga Oyeriinde

5. Mr. Lawal Pedo (SAN)

6. Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende

7. Hon. Ibrahim Layode

8. Dr. Dolapo Fasawe

9. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka

10. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu

11. Abdulkabir Ogungbo

12. Engr. Abiola Olowu

13. Dr. Adekunle Olayinka

14. Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada

15. Engr. Aramide Adeyoye

16. Mr. Idris Aregbe

17. Mr. Yakubu Adebayo Alebiosu

18. Mr. Tokunbo Wahab

19. Hon. Bola Olumegbon

20. Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya

21. Mr. Kayode Bolaji Roberts

22. Mr. Moruf Akinderu Fatai

23. Mr. Seun Osiyemi

24. Mrs. Barakat Bakare

25. Prof. Akin Abayomi

26. Mr. Gbenga Omotoso

27. Engr. Olalere Odusote

28. Dr. Rotimi Fashola

29. Mr. Mosopefolu George

30. Mr. Tunbosun Alake

31. Ms Ruth Abisola Olusanya

32. Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo

33. Mrs. Folashade Ambrose

34. Dr. Olumide Oluyinka

35. Mr. Yomi Oluyomi

36. Mr. Sam Egube

37. Dr. Jide Babatunde

38. Mr. Olalekan Fatodu

39. Mrs Solape Hammond

Abiodun dispatches list to Ogun Assembly

Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker Olakunle Oluomo confirmed yesterday the receipt of the list of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s nominees.

He said the Assembly received a correspondence from Abiodun requesting the confirmation of commissioner-nominees.

The governor’s correspondence dated July 27, 2023 reads: “I write once again to congratulate Mr. Speaker for your re-election into office as Rt. Honourable Speaker of the 10th Assembly and subsequent inauguration of all members of the Honourable House. I appreciate the Honourable House for the support and cooperation enjoyed during the first term of our administration.

“In furtherance of our mission in building our dear state together, Mr. Speaker, please find attached the list of nominees for the post of commissioners for your consideration.”

The names were not disclosed. Neither was the number of nominees mentioned.

It is expected that they will be read to the lawmakers at the next plenary day – Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

17 nominees make list in Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Speaker Ibrahim Abdullahi also confirmed yesterday that the legislature was in receipt of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s list of nominees for screening and confirmation as members of the state executive council.

The nominees include Aishatu Rufai Ibrahim (Awe LGA); Umar Abubakar Dan’akano (Awe); Yakubu Kwanta (Akwanga); Munirat Abdullahi (Doma); Timothy Kasuwa (Karu); Margaret Elayo (Keana); Bala Mulki (Keffi); and John Mamman (Kokona).

The rest are: Abubakar Imam Zanwa (Lafia); Aliyu Ahmed Tijjani (Nasarawa); Haruna Musa (Nassarawa Eggon); Muhammed Eyimoga (Obi); Labaran Magaji (Toto); Gaza Gwamna (Toto); Mu’azu Gosho (Wamba); Samuel Kafu Emgba (Lafia); and Ja’afaru Ango (Karu).

The speaker said that their appointments should be based on merit, integrity, prudence and wealth of experience.

He told the nominees to submit 30 copies of their curriculum vitae to the Assembly not later than Monday, July 31, and should appear for screening on Tuesday, August 1.

The lawmakers also approved the governor’s request for appointment of 20 special advisers.

The speaker announced the approval during the emergency sitting.

He said that the approval was to enable the governor to appoint advisers who would help him to drive his administration’s policies.

Ekweremadu’s son, ex Gov Chime’s daughter, make Enugu commissioners list

Prominent among the 15 nominees of Governor Mbah are Chief Ike Ekweremadu’s son, Lloyd and ex Gov Sullivan’s daughter, Ada Chukwu.

Also in the list, which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, and read on the floor of the House by Speaker Uche Ugwu yesterday, were the names of a veteran broadcaster, Aka Eze Aka, Prof. Ndubueze Mba, Mrs Ngozi Eni, Prof. Sam Ugwu, Chika Ugwoke and Dr Kingsley Ude.

Others are former commissioners Prof. Emmanuel Obi and Deacon Okey Ogbodo as well as Mrs Ugochi Madueke, Dr Malachy Agbo, Gerrald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama and Prince Lawrence Ezeh.

Onyia, in the letter, said “while this may not be the exhaustive list, I’m optimistic that this request will receive your usual expeditious consideration.”

Speaker Ugwu directed the clerk of the house to ask the nominees to submit 25 copies of their curriculum vitae each to the clerk’s office not later than Tuesday, August 1, 2023, and appear for interview in the house by 10am on Thursday, August 3.

Gombe beats deadline, reduces no of ministries to 21

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s list of 17 commissioner-nominees was delivered to the Clerk of the Assembly, Rukaiyatu Jalo, by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Abubakar Njodi.

The names were then read to the lawmakers by Speaker Abubakar Luggerewo.

Five members of the last cabinet were nominated.

They are: Habu Dahiru (Health); Zubairu Umar (Attorney General); Aishatu Maigari (Education); Gambo Magaji (Finance); and Nasiru Aliyu (Trade and Investment).

Other nominees are: Chairman Gombe Internal Revenue Service Salihu Alkali; former chairperson House Committee on Women Affairs Asma’u Ignanus; Abdulkadir Mohammed Waziri; Adamu Inuwa Pantami; Barrister Zubairu Umar; Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde; Mohammed Shetima Gadam; Mohammed Gambo Magaji; Asma’u Iganus; Mohammed Saidu Fawu; Aishatu Umar Maigari; Salihu Baba Alkali; Dr Habu Dahiru; Nasiru Aliyu; Barrnabas Malle; Mai jama’a Kallamu; Lt. Col Abdullahi Bello(rtd); Sanusi Ahmed Maidala; and Dr Abdullahi Bappah Garkuwa.

Meanwhile, the report of the 2023 Transition Management Committee chaired by Dr Ibrahim Daudu, on 17th July, 2023, recommended that the governor should reduce the number of ministries.

In 2019, Yahaya reduced the number of ministries from 27 to 21.

AbdulRazaq sends 20 names of nominees to Kwara Assembly for confirmation as commissioners

Also yesterday, Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq forwarded 20 names of commissioner-,nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

The governor also sought legislative approval for the appointment of 10 special advisers to work with him in various capacities, media aide to the Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi, Sheu Yusuf said.

The statement said that “Honourable House will diligently attend to His Excellency’s request in due course.” (The Nation)

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