
RUTH DAVID, Bauchi
Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Kawuwa Damina, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for selecting specialists who ‘have track records of proven integrity and achievements to become his cabinet members.’
Hon. Damina, who said this in an interview with newsmen in his office in the State House of Assembly complex in Bauchi, expressed satisfaction over the president’s fulfilment of his promise to release the list of his ministerial nominees, pointing out that the screening of the nominees was not only a welcome development for the country, but came at the right time.
Though he said that there were reactions trailing the initial delay in releasing the list of the nominees, what mattered was that the government was set to work for the best interest of Nigerians.
“As far as I am concerned, I am satisfied with the ministerial nominees of President Buhari because of the caliber of persons who are in the list. The President in his wisdom has chosen people with a track record of integrity, intelligence and achievements.
“The Senate on its part is doing a wonderful job because there are set down criteria for the ministerial positions and whoever is qualified automatically passes the screening exercise,” he said.
Regarding the ongoing war against corruption by the government, he advocated attitudinal change by Nigerians and political commitment on the part of the leadership to win the fight against corruption.
He said “The war on corruption is the collective responsibility of stakeholders in the country because government cannot fight corruption alone. There needs to be a change of attitude on the part of the leaders and the masses if we are to win this fight against corruption.”
“As leaders, we have to live sacrificial lives by leading by example. The reason why past governments were unsuccessful in tackling corruption is because of lack of good leadership and political commitment”.
The Speaker said that the relationship between the legislative and executive arm of government in the state was a cordial one and debunked insinuations making the round in the state that there was a rift between the lawmakers and the governor in the state.