The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has tasked the newly appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, to ensure that the efforts of the Federal Government get to vulnerable persons across the country.
Ndume warned the new appointee to remember the circumstances that led to the removal of his predecessor, Betta Edu, and avoid any pitfalls.
The lawmaker, who has been in the National Assembly for more than 20 unbroken years, gave the charge on Wednesday alongside other lawmakers during the screening of the ministerial nominee from Plateau State.
While grilling the nominee, Ndume said the humanitarian ministry is the most important one because about 60% of Nigerians are living in poverty and the nominee is coming at a time when the whole world is concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the country.
“You know the circumstances that led to the relief of your predecessor. My question now is that as the first man to be appointed as humanitarian minister. What would you do as a case of emergency to make sure that the humanitarian crisis that are facing, and are likely to face more of will be addressed?” Ndume asked.
“Fortunately, you are an ICT person. How do you intend to do that? That will give us a lot of comfort,” he said.
Replying to Ndume, and his colleagues who posed questions to him, the nominee said he would deploy technology and innovation to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the country.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently asked the nominee to take a bow.