The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Chinedu Osita Nebo as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The names of Misters Turaki (Kebbi State) and Nebo (Enugu State) were forwarded to the Senate by President Goodluck Jonathan for confirmation last week.

The lawmakers unanimously approved the appointment of the ministerial candidates after the nominees were adjudged to have satisfactorily answered questions posed to them by Senators.

Mr Nebo, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, practically turned the question and answer session into a lecture.
He thrilled the lawmakers with mastery of contemporary issues in the country and the way forward.

Asked how he intends to deal with the mafia in the power sector if appointed Minister of Power, Mr Nebo said that he would chase out the demons frustrating the growth of the sector.

He said that some highly placed Nigerians still believe that witches are responsible for the problems in the power sector “but I believe that God will give me the power to chase out the demons in the power sector.”

He eulogized the immediate past Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, describing him as a “professional to the core, who was committed and did his best for the power sector but unfortunately something happened.”

The ministerial nominee said that since he is aware that banana peels litter the landscape of the country, he would be careful.

He added that if given the opportunity to serve as Power Minister, he would, God being on his side, chase out the demons in the sector.

The nominee also said that he would study what is on the ground in the sector to enable him determine the best way to deal with problems in the sector.

He also said that power generation for the country was grossly inadequate taking into cognizance the population of the country.

He noted that no house should be connected to the national grid if it is not certified to be ready for connection.

Mr Nebo said that the country could create over 10,000 jobs by engaging those who would check houses that are ready for electricity connection.

On Ajaokuta Steel Complex, he described it as “a giant in comatose” and added that “by the spirit of God that giant will rise one day.”

He said, “Sometimes, I weep for the country. If it is conspiracy problem that killed Ajaokuta, why do we allow ourselves to be used to injure our unborn children?

“We need more patriotism as a nation. Ajaokuta remains a giant in comatose but by the spirit of God that giant will rise one day.”

He said that Ajaokuta Steel Complex and Delta Steel Rolling Mill should have turned the fortunes of the country around “but we missed it.”
Mr Nebo also answered questions on insecurity in the country, graduate unemployment and how to revive interest in the study of the country’s local languages.

On his part, Mr Turaki answered questions on how to combat insurgency especially in the northern part of the country, the problem of corruption, plea bargain, the petroleum industry and the electoral process.

After confirming the nominees, Senate President, David Mark congratulated them and asked them to match their answers with performance.

He said, “The nominees were very frank in answering questions. If by the time they are appointed they match their words with performance, they would have performed well.”

– ChannelsTV