From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has assured Nigerians that the Senator Godswill Akpabio- led Senate will not compromise with competence and capability concerning those that will serve the country.
The Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District and All Progressives Congress leader who hinted that screening of the nominees will commence on Monday, July 31,
noted that the Senate will be very thorough with the screening of the ministerial nominees presented by President Bola Tinubu.
Bamidele said this on Saturday, at a programme tagged ’24 Hours Marathon Praise and Worship Service’, organised by his admirers to mark his 60th birthday celebration held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Centre in Ado Ekiti.
Speaking with journalists at the well-attended event, Bamidele said the Senate under Senator Godswill Akpabio was desirous and keen about ensuring that those holding pivotal positions under Tinubu’s presidency are those with capacities to deliver and
will bring dividends of democracy to the people.
“Let me assure Nigerians that the screening won’t be only bow and go, except for those who had been members of the National Assembly before and whom we knew and appreciated that they have the wherewithal to give Nigerians qualitative leadership.
“Nigerians expected us to be thorough. They are expecting us to do a thorough screening. But take a bow and go is not an unparliamentary convention, it has become a practice all over the world and that person must be a former member of the parliament who is well known to us. Somebody we have confidence in his ability.
“We are going to follow the constitution to ensure that we deliver our mandate to make those who voted for us happy. This will occur at the level of parliament, oversight functions and at the committee level.
“We will partner Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver on his promises to Nigerians. We are determined to ensure that all the three arms of government, particularly the judiciary are put on a good footing to be able to deliver justice without fear or favour. We are determined to ensure that the right people are brought on board.”
On the removal of the fuel subsidy, Bamidele stated that the federal government will soon roll out social investment programmes to palliate the sufferings of the masses, especially poorest of the poor in the country.
“The federal government will put palliatives in place to help the poorest of the poor . There is also another category of palliatives that will be rolled out for the civil servants apart from the promised salary increment that will be done across states and at the federal level.
“The removal is very significant because the FG will be able to save a lot of money to do infrastructure and make all Nigerians happy. That was the intention of President Tinubu about the removal. He knew what Nigerians are passing through and efforts are underway to cushion the effects of this removal.”
Bamidele appreciated God for sparing his life to celebrate 60th birthday, describing the gesture as uncommon favour, having a retrospect of what he had passed through in his political journeys.
In his short exhortation tagged “out of your faithfulness” at the event, the Vicar in charge of the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Iyin Ekiti, Ven Zaccheus Ibitoye, described Bamidele as a dependable and descent politician, who loathes politics of bitterness and do or die.
The cleric assured that Nigerians will render a good story in the end despite the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to curb alleged corruption in the system.
“Let us be patient and pray for our leaders. All the presidential candidates promised that they will remove the petrol subsidy and one of them won and removed it. We should all be expecting it.
“Let us be patient with the federal government. We will have a good story to tell for our coming children. This stage and difficulties shall pass away.”
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Ekiti State,Mr Biodun Oyebanji appreciated God for sparing the life of the celebrant and commended President Bola Tinubu for positively impacting the life of Bamidele.
“The people of the state will always be grateful to President Bola Tinubu for given Bamiidele the platform to prove himself in Lagos State and Bamiidele didn’t disappoint.
“This kind of gesture should be translated to the state. You don’t say this person is from our state, that person is not from our state, somebody who is not from your state can also be useful in your state provided he has the potential, just like President Tinubu tested Bamiidele and he proved himself and so he served in many capacities. Look at where he is today.”
Dignitaries at the colourful event included: Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, former Speaker , Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Olubunmi Adelugba, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, former National Assembly member, Hon. Bimbo Daramola
The roll call also included:Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Dr Habitat Adubiaro, the All Progressives Congressives Chairman in Ekiti State, Hon Paul Omotoso, a senior staff of Tetfund, Dr. Olusola Ojo, Bishop Anglican Diocese of Ekiti, Most Reverend Olusola Ajayi.
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