News
Senate Begins Ministerial Nominees Screening …Invites Security Chiefs Over Bombing
The Senate will begin the screening of ministerial nominees to enable President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute his cabinet, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba said.
Ndoma-Egba spoke at a news conference after a closed-door meeting of the Senate, stressing: “the Senate is ready for the screening of the nominees.”
The President had sent a list of 34 persons to be considered for ministerial positions.
Ndoma-Egba said the Senate had no reason to delay the screening, adding: “we will begin the process tomorrow to enable Mr President constitute his cabinet.’’
He said that part of the discussion at the meeting was to bring the new senators up to speed on the modalities of screening.
Ndoma-Egba said that senators would be guided by the mood of the Senate and that “every nominee will be subjected to the same grid.’’
Commenting on the appointment of Special Advisers, he said the Senate only needed to approve the number of those to be appointed as advisers as requested by the President.
On the security measures taken by the management of the National Assembly (NASS), Ndoma-Egba said “there is going to be lots of inconveniences for senators, staff, guests, friends and even you journalists.
“These are very unusual times that require us to adopt unusual measures.”
He, therefore, appealed to the staff and members of the public to show understanding while the management of NASS continued to implement the measures.
Mark also announced the receipt of a separate letter from Jonathan informing the Senate of his desire to appoint 20 Special Advisers to be part of his cabinet.
The Senate President further read another letter from Jonathan nominating Mr Frank Chineke for confirmation by the Senate, as a member representing Rivers in the Board of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday resolved to invite heads of all security agencies to give detailed briefings on the incessant bomb explosions in the country attributed to the Boko Haram sect.
The interactive session,Enang said the act and other acts of terrorism in the country must be condemned as they were an embarrassment to the country’s security system.
Contributing to the debate, Sen. Ayogu Eze (PDP-Enugu) said the sixth Senate had ended its session discussing the issue of security in the country and as such the matter had gone beyond paying lip-service.
He said that intensive and critical investigations must be carried out to determine the issues involved and solutions proffered.
“It is a matter that should go beyond paying lip-service.
“And we should look at some of the critical factors behind what is happening because the terrorists, as they are branded, have some reasons like failures within the system that must have prompted their actions.
“We must begin to look at some of these causes as well as put measures in place to secure our nation because this is gradually becoming a national embarrassment.’’
He said that if a solution was not proffered immediately, it might result to foreigners, especially investors, refusing to visit the country due to fear for their lives.
In his contribution, Senator George Sekibo (PDP-Rivers) expressed concern over the apparent lack of security in the country to the extent that the nation nearly lost its chief security officer.
Sekibo expressed regret that bomb explosions had become a recurring decimal in the country and as such urgent steps must be taken to curb the trend.
“How can our security system be so low that we almost lost our I-G (Inspector-General of Police)?
“ It is also alarming that the act was carried out in the premises of the chief law enforcement agent where there are bomb detectors and yet a bomb went in and exploded there.
“It has gone out of control and we must support the Federal Government to find solution to this predicament.’’
Senator Olushola Adeyeye (ACN-Osun Central) also challenged the Senate to summon enough courage to put a stop to the violence in the country.
“I believe there is sufficient wisdom in this chamber to examine the problems and proffer solution because this is not a problem we can leave in the hands of the executive alone.’’
Senator Awaisu Kuta, (PDP-Niger), however, cautioned security agents to guard their utterances in order not to aggravate the matter further.
In a remark, Senate President David Mark said that once there was a security lapse, so many people would be inconvenienced.
Mark said that security was an expensive venture that could not be taken for granted and warned that if the issue was not tackled now, it would become more expensive to manage.
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.