By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—AT last, after one year of the death of former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barrister James Ocholi from Kogi State, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday nominated Professor Stephen Ikani Ocheni as a ministerial nominee to replace him.

Also sent to the Senate for confirmation by the President yesterday was Suleiman Hassan from Gombe State to replace Amina Mohammed who had since resumed at the United Nations as deputy secretary-general.

The letter from the President was read during plenary by Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Buhari’s letter 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 underlisted ministerial nominees for confirmation of the Senate:Stephen Ikani Ocheni (professor), Kogi State and Suleiman Zana Hassan, Gombe State.

Prseident Muhammadu Buhari

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

If confirmed, Ocheni, a lecturer at Kogi State University would replace Ocholi who died in a motor accident along Kaduna- Abuja road, March 6, 2016 along with his wife and son.  Suleiman Hassan from Gombe State would also replace former Minister for Environment, Amina Mohammed, who left the federal cabinet in February, 2017 to serve in the United Nations as a Deputy Secretary General.