By Giwa SHILE
The Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population on Tuesday commenced screening of 23 nominees as members of the National Population Commission.
The nominees are Nwanne Nwabushi, Abia State; Dr Clifford Zirra, Adamawa State; Mr Chidib Ezeake, Anambra State; Mr Isah Buratai, Borno State; Navy Capt. Charles Ogwa (rtd), Cross River State.
Others are Richard Odibo, Delta State; Mr Okereke Onwabishi, Ebonyi State; Mr Olusegun Aiyejina, Edo State; Ajike Ezeh, Enugu State; Abubakar Danburam, Gombe State and Prof. Uba Nabue, Imo State.
Also in the list are Abdulmalik Durunguwa, Kaduna State; Suleiman Lawal, Kano State; Prof. Jimoh Isah, Kogi State; Dr Sa’adu Alanamu, Kwara State; Nasiru Kwarra, Nasarawa State and Mr Aliyu Datti, Niger State.
The others are Mrs Seyi Olusanya, Ogun State; Dr Olanadiran Iyantan, Ondo State; Sen. Mudashiru Hussain, Osun State; Mrs Cecilia Dapoet, Plateau State; Dr Ipalibo Harry, Rivers State and Sale Saany, Taraba State.
In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, said the committee would apply due diligence in the screening.
“We have gone through the curricula vitae and we are happy with the quality of individuals that have been forwarded to us. This is not to flatter you but to charge those of you that will eventually scale through to deliver.
“This is because the NPC can be called a specialised agency as once you mention the commission, one of the major things that comes to mind is National Census. Census issues are extremely sensitive and though apolitical, can be very political.
“They are issues that bother on population, hence a lot of times they translate into indices of distribution of the wealth of our dear nation,” he said.
The chairman stated that the sensitivity of the job specification informed the representation of each state in the commission.
He said: “You know the assignment will come with different challenges. There are other agencies of government but you were nominated to be confirmed into this agency.”
