Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Senate okays president Tinubu Cabinet nominees
Nigeria's Senate on Monday approved 45 of President Bola Tinubu's nominees to Cabinet positions after individually vetting them in the past week, paving the way for their swearing-in as government ministers.
Among those approved is Olawale Edun, a longtime Tinubu adviser who has long been tipped to become the next finance minister in Africa's biggest economy.
The Senate president said three names were yet to be approved as lawmakers awaited their security clearance.
Nigeria's Senate has the power to stop a president's Cabinet appointments, but Tinubu's ruling party has a majority in the chamber and the nominations were expected to be approved.
It was not immediately clear when the nominees will be allocated their ministerial portfolios.
Under Nigerian law, the president is required to choose at least one Cabinet member from each of the country's 36 states.
The number of Cabinet nominees has led to criticism from opponents who say this will lead to a bloated administration at a time when Tinubu has asked citizens to be patient with his reforms, the removal of a popular but costly petrol subsidy, that has lead to soaring prices.
Tinubu won a disputed February election on promises to reboot the country's flagging economy, deal with a high debt burden and double-digit inflation, and address widespread insecurity.
By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters
Among those approved is Olawale Edun, a longtime Tinubu adviser who has long been tipped to become the next finance minister in Africa's biggest economy.
The Senate president said three names were yet to be approved as lawmakers awaited their security clearance.
Nigeria's Senate has the power to stop a president's Cabinet appointments, but Tinubu's ruling party has a majority in the chamber and the nominations were expected to be approved.
It was not immediately clear when the nominees will be allocated their ministerial portfolios.
Under Nigerian law, the president is required to choose at least one Cabinet member from each of the country's 36 states.
The number of Cabinet nominees has led to criticism from opponents who say this will lead to a bloated administration at a time when Tinubu has asked citizens to be patient with his reforms, the removal of a popular but costly petrol subsidy, that has lead to soaring prices.
Tinubu won a disputed February election on promises to reboot the country's flagging economy, deal with a high debt burden and double-digit inflation, and address widespread insecurity.
By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters
Monday, August 7, 2023
Video - Nigeria face off against England in Round of 16 of the Women's World Cup
Nigeria's Super Falcons will take on the Lionesses of England for a place in the quarterfinals of the ongoing World Cup at the Brisbane stadium in Australia on Monday. The Falcons were the first African side to qualify for the Round of 16 after playing out a goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland.
Senate in Nigeria rejects president’s demand to send troops to Niger
The head of the Senate in Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, said Saturday that the chamber rejected military force to reinstate President Bazoum Mohamed in Niger, following a military coup.
The Senate also pleaded with the current head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, to embrace diplomacy in handling the toppling of the democratic government.
The bloc last Sunday gave coup leaders one week to reinstate Bazoum.
Akpabio said parliament leadership agreed to meet Tinubu to discuss the chamber’s resolutions.
Tinubu sought Friday the support of the Senate in official communication sent to the chamber to implement ECOWAS resolutions on the situation in Niger.
“The Senate recognises the fact that President Tinubu by virtue of his correspondence has not asked for the approval of this Senate to go to war as being erroneously suggested in some quarters.
“The Senate calls on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen the political and diplomatic options and other means with which to resolve the political impasse in Niger Republic,” according to a statement.
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Video - Labour unions in Nigeria begin strike against fuel price hike, cost of living
Nigerian workers across numerous sectors have gone on strike, after the government removed fuel subsidies. Petrol prices and other costs are soaring. Talks with unions have broken down. Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris reports from Abuja, Nigeria.
Related stories: Protest against soaring cost of living under president Tinubu erupts in Nigeria
Black market collapses in Nigeria due to fuel subsidy removal
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)