Senate confirms NCC chairman, 13 nominees for NASC board

The Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Prof. Adeolu Akande and Uche Onwude as chairman and member respectively, of the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Also, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Ahmed Amshi from Yobe state as the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission ( NASC) and 12 others as members of the commission.

Appointees to the board of the two commissions were nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari via separate letters on December 18, 2019 requesting Senate confirmation of the nominees.

The confirmation of appointments of both Akande and Onwude was sequel to the presentation and consideration of the report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central).

However, Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) protested what he described as the unceremonious exit of the former Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Olabiyi Durojaiye.

He argued that the Presidency did not allow Durojaiye complete his five -year tenure as chairman, neither was he allowed to honourably resign his appointment.

But, Senate President Ahnad Lawan pacified Sen. Adeola, saying the situation was unfortunate, as the Senate cannot change the situation because it does not have the prerogative of appointing persons into offices.

The National Assembly Service Commission nominees on the other hand were confirmed after the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau (APC/Kano Central) during plenary.

Other appointees of the commission are Babagana Modu from Borno state, Senator Abubakar Tutare (Taraba); Hakeem Akamo (Lagos); Tunrayo Akintomide (Ondo); Atanomeyorwi Francis (Delta) and Bassey Etuk from Akwa Ibom state.

The other members are Bailyaminu Shinkafi from Zamfara state, Sani Saidu Kazaure (Jigawa); Senator Julius Ucha (Ebonyi); Nnamdi Anyaehie (Imo); Auwalu Ohindase (Kogi) and Muazu Is’haq from Nasarawa state.

Presenting the committee’s report, its chairman urged the Senate to approve the appointment of the nominees in accordance with the National Assembly Service Commission Act as amended 2010.

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Sen. Shekarau explained that they were all qualified to be appointed as chairman and members of the commission having proved their mettle in public service during screening by the committee.

In his remarks, Senate President Lawan commended the committee for a job well-done and charged the appointees to swing into action immediately, once they receive their appointment letters.

He said that the absence of the commission for a long time has affected the activities of the National Assembly.