President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, named Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and others as chairmen and vice chairmen of important committees in the Senate.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo, representing Delta South senatorial district, was named as the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, while the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was appointed as chairman local content committee and vice chairman of steel respectively.
Akpabio also appointed 13 other senators as chairmen and vice chairmen of different committees including Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as chairman senate committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs.
The newly appointed chairmen and vice chairmen are as follows:
- Steel – Patrick Udubueze (Chairman), Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Vice-chairman)
- Tourism – Shuaibu Isa Lau, Ireti Kingigbe (Vice-Chairman)
- Inter-Parliamentary Affairs – Jimoh Ibrahim (Chairman)
- State and Local Government Affairs – Binos Yaroe (Chairman), Francis Fadahunsi (Vice Chairman)
- National Atomic and Nuclear Energy – Sahabi Alhaji Yau (Chairman), Mustapha Khalid Ibrahim (Vice Chairman)
- Youth and Community Engagement – Yemi Adaramodu (Chairman)
- Sport Development – Kawu Sumaila (Chairman), Ned Nwoko (Vice Chairman)
- Niger Delta Affairs – Babajide Ipinsagba (Chairman), Rev. Amos Kumai Yohanna (Vice Chairman)
- Art, Culture and Creative Economy – Onawo Ogoshi (Chairman), Okechukwu Ezea (Vice Chairman)
- Defence – Joel Onowakpo (Vice Chairman)
- Petroleum Downstream – Ifeanyi Ubah (Chairman), Babajide Ipinsagba (Vice Chairman)
- Solid Minerals Development – Sampson Ekong (Chairman)
- Niger Delta Amendment Development Commission -Osita Ngwu (Vice Chairman)
- Establishment and Public Services – Sunday Marshall Katung (Vice Chairman)
- Housing – Victor Umeh (Vice Chairman), amongst others.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio confirmed the appointment shortly after announcing new minority leaders in the House.