Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday announced the appointment of chairmen for the 134 standing committees of the 10th House of Representatives.
The composition of the committees is in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the House Standing Rules, which empower the National Assembly to carry out oversight functions on government agencies programmes through committees.
Of the 134 committees, checks by SHIPS & PORTS identified seven that are directly related to the maritime industry. These are the committees on Ports and Harbour; Maritime Safety, Education and Administration; Customs and Excise; Shipping Services; Inland Waterways; Navy and Land Transport.
The chairmen of the maritime related committees are as follows:
Ports and Harbour
The House Committee on Ports and Harbours is chaired by Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency of Enugu State. Born August 24, 1972, Nnaji served as Enugu State Commissioner for Public Utilities from 199 – 2002. He was also a member of the Governing Board, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) from 2012 – 2014.
Maritime Safety, Education and Administration
The House Committee in Maritime Safety, Education and Administration is headed by the wife of a former Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
Hon. Ibrahim, 56, is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency of Yobe State.
Customs and Excise
The House Committee on Customs and Excise has Hon. Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi) as Chairman. Abejide represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-muro Federal Constituency in the green chamber. Born on August 5, 1975, he chaired the same committee in the 9th House of Representatives.
Shipping Services
Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) is the Chairman of the newly created House Committee on Shipping Services. The 45-year old lawmaker and 13th son of former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, represents Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in the lower chamber. He served as the Commissioner of Finance in Sokoto State from 2019 to 2023.
Inland Waterways
The House Committee on Inland Waterways has Hon. Ojotu Ojeme as Chairman.
Ojeme is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and he represents the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State.
Navy
The House Committee on Navy has 43 years old Hon. Yusuf Gagdi as Chairman.
Yusuf is a member of the ruling APC from Plateau State. He represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the lower legislative chamber.
Before election into the House of Representatives, he was Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Land Transport
The House Committee on Land Transport is chaired by Hon. Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue). Born June 20, 1976, Onuh is the daughter of former Senate President David Mark. She represents Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.
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