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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.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.