Senate confirms Bernard Doro as humanitarian minister

The senate has confirmed the nomination of Bernard Doro as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation.

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Doro in a letter sent to the senate for confirmation on October 21. His appointment follows the election of Nentawe Yilwatda as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July.

Yilwatda and his wife were present in the senate chamber on Thursday to witness Doro’s screening.

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During his screening, Doro responded to questions from Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, and Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north.

He pledged to prioritise transparency, efficiency, and coordination in the management of humanitarian interventions across the country.

“I will create a humanitarian ecosystem that is efficient, transparent, and centred on the person being cared for,” he said.

“This is with a view to bringing dignity to the individual, to ensuring that their needs are met, and this will be done based on well-established humanitarian principles such as impartiality.”

Doro also promised to strengthen collaboration among government agencies to reduce duplication and enhance outcomes.

“I will create synergy amongst the different agencies of government and ensure that we are able to reduce duplication and achieve results. I believe that technology can help us achieve that,” he added.

Several lawmakers, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Diket Plang (Plateau central), and Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo south), praised Doro’s credentials and experience, describing him as a capable hand for the role.

Following deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the nomination to a voice vote, and Doro was unanimously confirmed.

Speaking after the confirmation, Akpabio congratulated Doro for his performance and commended President Tinubu for his “deliberate and inclusive approach” to appointments.

“I congratulate the nominee who has put forth such very excellent qualifications for his confirmation today by the Nigerian senate as minister of the federal republic,” Akpabio said.

“I wish you well, and I congratulate Mr President for searching for our sons and finding them wherever they are to bring them into the service of the nation.”