The Senate on Tuesday confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees for appointment as Secretary and Board members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Those confirmed include George Abbah Ekpungu as Secretary from Cross River State; Luqman Muhammed as a board member from Edo State, Anumba Adaeze (member – Enugu); Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (member – Kwara); and Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad (member – Yobe).
The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, in his report, recommended that the nominees be confirmed by the Senate.
Buhari, in a letter dated September 17, 2021, urged the Senate to confirm the candidates as Secretary and board member of the EFCC.
The President explained that the request for the confirmation of the nominees was in accordance with the provision of section 2(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.
Senator Kwari said the nominees gave in-depth responses to questions posed by members on how they would contribute to achieving the Commission’s mandate during screening.
He added that the Committee after securitizing the credentials of the nominees was satisfied that the candidates have the requisite experience, integrity, professional competence and industry to discharge the functions for which they were nominated.
He disclosed further that there was no adverse security report or petition against any of them.
The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, after the nominees were confirmed, congratulated them as they commence their new assignments.
The Senate on Tuesday also passed the Tertiary Hospital Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2021.
The passage of the Bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, in his report, said the Bill seeks to establish the Tertiary Hospitals Development Fund for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of Tertiary Healthcare in Nigeria.
He explained that the proposed legislation also seeks to establish for the Fund, the Governing Board consisting of a Chairman and other representatives as members.
According to the lawmaker, the Fund will provide and maintain infrastructure essential for tertiary healthcare service delivery, health research, staff training and development.
“The bill proposes how the funds will be sourced thereby eliminating the burden of financing placed on the federal government,” Oloriegbe said.
