The Council of State meeting which held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday approved the appointment of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
The Council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari also approved the appointment of six national commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and five commissioners for the National Population Commission. The meeting was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and former heads of state Abdusalmi Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan.
Those approved as INEC commissioners from the six Geo-Political zones include: Mohammed Haruna ( North Central); AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu’Azu rtd (North East); Abubakar Nahuca (North West); Professor Okechukwu Ibanu (South East); May Agbamuche Mbu (South South) and Dr. Adekunle Ladipo Ogumola ( South West).
Commissioners for the National Population Council include: Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji (Oyo); Barr. Patricia Iyaya( Benue); Egr. Benedict Ukpong (Akwa Ibom); Dr. Halu Bala (Kebbi); and Gloria Isofo (Bayelsa).
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode alongside his Jigawa state counterpart, Abubakar Badaru, said the appointment of the IGP still needs to be approved by the National Assembly. He added that there was an almost unanimous confirmation of Kputum’s appointment, so the police council approved it.
Ambode said the Council also received briefing on the state of the economy and efforts by the government to save the country in the face of recession.
“The minister of state from the ministry of budget and planning actually made a presentation to council on the ways and manner in which the federal government is approaching the way to rescue the recession path that we are going through.
“Council was confident and also approved the measures the federal government is putting in place to ensure that Nigeria goes on the path of recovery as quickly as possible” Ambode said.
Suggestions were also made by council members, the governor said adding that the council resolved that those suggestions be “imputed to whatever it is that the federal government is doing in order for us to fast track our recovery”.
Data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last week showed Nigeria had slid into a recession as GDP figures for the second quarter of 2016 showed that growth rate dropped further from -0.36 percent in the first quarter to -2.06 per cent year-on-year.
Jigawa state governor also told journalists that the council advised on more focus on the diversification of the economy. “Serious focus on agriculture, solid mineral development as well” he added.
The Council of States which is the highest advisory body of government is chaired by the President Muhammadu and consists of the vice president as the deputy chairman, all former presidents and all former heads of the government of the federation, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, state governors and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Elizabeth Archibong
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