Ministerial nominee upsets senators

Yesterday, six were screened, including Cross River State nominee, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru, who drew the ire of some senators with his statement.

Uguru mentioned names of some senators with who he traversed the country during the last campaign.

Most of the senators he mentioned were of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Then, one of the senators asked Uguru: “Were you interacting with the PDP too?” to which he replied “God forbid”.

Minority Leader Senator Godswill Akpabio raised an objection to the nominee’s statement. Coming under a point of order, Akpabio described Uguru’s statement as derogatory to PDP members.

Other PDP senators joined him. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South) declared that the nominee did not submit his assets declaration papers along with his documents in violation of one of the rules set for the nominees.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP Abia North) also raised issues with the nominee’s tax papers. Waving the tax papers, Ohuabunwa said the nominee obtained his tax clearance certificates for three years in one day.

The senator said the implication was that the nominee was not paying his tax as at when due and as such, should be disqualified.

But Senate Leader Ali Ndume came to the nominee’s rescue when he cited the 5th Schedule of the Constitution to back Uguru’s action.

Ndume said by virtue of the provisions in that Schedule, a public office holder may submit his assets declaration papers before taking appointment, or within 30 days after taking office.

But many other senators still complained about Uguru’s “God forbid” phrase, and were in the process of pushing their grievances further when the Senate President doused the tension. Turning to the visibly ruffled Uguru, the Senate President gesticulated to him to apologise to the PDP senators.

A contrite Uguru then said in a subdued tone: “I am extremely sorry”. But he never regained his composure for the remaining part of the screening.

Outgoing University of Ibadan Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Issac Adewole said university administrators should do something about the falling standard of education.

He also advocated  sustained funding of the universities to maximise their performance.

The chronic situation of under-funding of universities persistently over the years, he said, should be reversed. Adewole lamented that Nigeria funds education with only 1.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).