Senate confirms Chairman, DG of PenCom, others

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominations for appointment as Chairman, Director-General, and Commissioners of National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Those confirmed were: Dr. Oyindasola Oluremi Oni (Kwara state – North-Central) as Chairman; Aisha Dahir-Umar from Adamawa State (North- East) as Director-General of PenCom; Clement Oyedele Akintola as Commissioner (Ondo State – South-West); Ayim C. Nyerere, Commissioner (Abia State – South-East) and Charles Efe Sylvester Emukowhate as Commissioner (Delta state – South-South).

The confirmations were sequel to the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters at plenary.

The report was presented by the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mpigi Barinada.

Presenting the report, Barinaga said the committee screened and found the nominees worthy of the appointments.

He however said that the committee recommended that the nominee from Katsina State, Hanna Musa Musawa should be stood down because she was yet to present her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate to the committee.

Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) kicked against the report before the confirmation of the nominees.

He urged the Senate to re-visit the screening of the nominees.

He noted the nominee for the position of Director-General of PenCom should have been picked from the South -East region, following the non-completion of the tenure of the former DG who was from the region.

Senators like Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Adamawa Central), however, argued that it was within the prerogative of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint people into positions based on existing laws.

The lawmakers approved the appointment of the nominees PenCom board when it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Following an affirmative voice vote, Senate confirmed the following PenCom nominees:

The nomination of Hanatu Musa Musawa, nominee from Katsina (North -West) was stood down by the Senate until she presents her NYSC certificate.

Senate also confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominations for appointments as Non-Career Ambassadors.

The confirmation followed the presentation of a report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Muhammad Bulkachuwa (APC – Bauchi North).

The two ambassadorial nominees confirmed are Amb. Muhammad Haruna Manta (Niger) and Yusufu Yunusa (Yobe).

The Senate also read five Bills for the first time.

The Bills are: National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Establishment Bill, 2020 sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Yayaya Abubakar (APC – Kebbi- North), Information Sector Private Employment Agencies Regulation Bill, 2020 by Senator Musa Mohammed (APC – Niger -East).

Others are, Historical Sites Preservation and Protection Bill, 2020 by Senator Stella Oduah (PDP – Anambra North) and the Institute of Charted Power Engineers of Nigeria Establishment Bill, 2020 by Senator Suswam Gabriel (PDP – Benue North-East). (The Nation)