The Nigerian Senate has made some changes to its standing committees to improve the effectiveness and productivity of legislative activities.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the changes during plenary, explaining that they are aimed at repositioning the Senate for more efficient service delivery.
He pointed out that the adjustments were made following a thorough examination of current legislative needs and the individual strengths of senators.
“We will continue to make adjustments where necessary in order to deliver on our legislative mandate,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio instructed Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, to obtain activity reports from all committees for discussion on the senate floor. In his welcome address at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio called on his colleagues to recommit to national service with integrity and patriotism.
Simon Lalong, senator representing Plateau south, has been appointed chairman of the committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and electoral matters, and has urged lawmakers to focus on legislation promoting national unity. Lalong takes over from Sharafadeen Ali, senator representing Oyo south.
Ali has been reassigned to chair the committee on agricultural institutions and research, replacing Lalong. Senator Anthony Ani, representing Ebonyi south, is no longer chairman of the committee on tourism. Pam Nwadkon, senator representing Plateau north, will now lead the tourism committee.
Eze Kenneth Emeka, senator representing Ebonyi central, has been stripped of his position as vice-chairman of the South East Development Commission committee, which has been given to Ani, although he retains his roles as chairman of the information committee and vice chairman of the water resources committee.
