Buhari nominates Ocheni, Hassan as ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday nominated Professor Stephen Ikani Ocheni and Suleiman Hassan and sent their names to the Senate for confirmation as ministers. Ocheni, who is a lecturer in the Kogi State University (KSU), would replace the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, who died in March, 2016 in an accident.

Hassan would replace former Minister of the Environment, Amina Mohammed who left the federal cabinet last month to take up an appointment as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).

Buhari’s letter to the Senate and read at Wednesday’s session read: “In accordance with section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward the under-listed ministerial nominees for confirmation of the Senate- Professor Stephen Ikani Ocheni (Kogi State) and Suleiman Zana Hassan (Gombe State.)

“It is my hope that this exercise will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”