19th April, 2012
The Senate today confirmed the nomination of Deaconess Joanna Ayo as chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC.
Their confirmation followed the Senate’s approval of the report of its Committee on Establishment and Pubic Service after screening the nominees.
Others who were also confirmed as members of the commission during Thursday plenary include Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, Dr. Garba Buwai, Alhaji Yahaya Yusuf, Dr. Mohammed Babanka and Alhaji Rafiu Tinubu while two other nominees were absent.
Presenting the report, chairman of the committee Senator Aloysius Etok explained that the nomination of Alhaji Saidu Zakari from Kano State was stood down owing to a petition from Kano North in respect of concentrated representation from the state.
Senator Etok also explained that the other nominee, Alhaji Yahaya Suleiman representing the Federal Capital Territory was absent during the screening, and called on the executive to adequately address the principle of federal character and fair representation in the appointment of public officers.
He however said that most of the nominees were past Heads of Service of their respective states, noting that their wealth of experience would come to bear in their new appointment.
Commenting on the report, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije (PDP- Abia) urged the Senate to emphasise the need for the executive to ensure that nominees possessed relevant qualification before their appointment into public office.
Meanwhile, the Senate has passed the Institute of Registered Safety Professionals of Nigeria Bill after it went through third reading on the floor of the Upper Chamber.
Passage of the bill was sequel to the adoption by the upper chamber of the report of the Joint Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, headed by Senator Wilson Ake.
In his ruling, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session called on President Goodluck Jonathan to give assent to the various bills that were still awaiting his assent.
By Desmond/Utomwen/Abuja