Buhari swears-in six INEC Commissioners as FEC approves N2bn agric support for Taraba

President Muhammadu Buhari on  Wednesday sworn-in six national Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The swearing-in, which preceded commencement of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Present at the inauguration of the Commissioners were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and some Ministers also attended the inauguration of the INEC Commissioners.

Those sworn-in include Mohammed Haruna (Niger State), Mrs Agbamuche Mbu (Delta), Okeagu Nnamdi (Abia), retired major General Abubakar Alkali (Adamawa), Prof Rada Gumus (Bayelsa) and Sam Elumeku (Ogun).

Speaking to State House Correspondents, soon after the swearing-in, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said Nigerians should expect the best out of INEC, now that the Commission has the full complement of its Commissioners.

He said: “Well, it’s a good day for the Commission, with the swearing in of the six National Commissioners, we have the full complement of 12 National Commissioners.  It’s coming three days to by-elections in four states of the Federation and as we plan for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

“As we continue to prepare for the 2023 general elections, we’ll go on firing on all cylinders now that we have the full complement of commissioners and Nigerians should expect the best out of the Commission.”

Meanwhile, President Buhari is presiding over the virtual meeting of the Federal executive Council at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

The Federal Executive Council has approved over N2 billion for the procurement of cattle for Taraba State, to boost agricultural production in the state.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of this week’s meeting of the council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

She said “The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development submitted two memos. One was for the revised estimated total cost for the supply of cattle for Taraba State under the Emergency Agricultural Intervention Programme for states that were  affected by conflict and insecurity. The approval we got was in the tune of two billion, some millions thereabout.” 

Farouq further said the other approval she got was for the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking, 2022-2026.

Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, informed Journalists that the council approved the revised science, technology and innovation policy for the country.

He said it has become necessary for Nigeria to review her own science policy, in line with current developments in science globally.

“The memorandum approved today for the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation was essentially a revision of the science, technology and innovation policy for our dear country. There have been tremendous advances in science, technology and innovation all over the world and this necessitated the need for our science and technology policy which was put in place since 2012; 10 years ago.

“The policy needs to be revised so that we can keep pace with new and emerging technologies. The main objective is for us to use science and technology to improve the standard of living of our citizens and ensure that we have high quality of life and that we can get if our nation becomes more prosperous and our economy is more globally competitive,” he explained.

Onu said the new policy will help Nigeria narrow the gap between her and the technologically advanced countries of the world.