UNVEILED: Ex-CPC chairman, UNN alumnus — Buhari’s new ministerial pick

President Muhammadu Buhari late Tuesday sent the names of Stephen Ocheni and Suleiman Hassan to the senate for confirmation as ministers.

Senate President Bukola Saraki read the president’s letter seeking the confirmation of the nominees on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.

Ocheni, who is from Kogi state, is a professor of public sector accounting and dean faculty of management sciences at the Kogi State University, Anyigba.

He will replace James Ocholi, former minister of state for labour and productivity, who died in a road accident in March 2016.

Ocheni was born on June 25, 1959, and he got his doctorate degree in public finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2004.

He is a fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria and that of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria.

The second ministerial nominee, Hassan, is from Gombe state. He is the former chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the state.

He is also one of the non-career ambassadorial nominees whose appointment the senate confirmed last week.

He will have to fill in one position as required by the constitution.

Hassan is expected to replace Amina Mohammed, former minister of environment, who is now‎ the United Nations deputy secretary-general.