President Bola Tinubu has nominated Dr Bernard Doro from Plateau State as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, forwarding his name to the Senate for confirmation.

Doro’s nomination comes after the elevation of Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, who was elected National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress in July.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the nomination in a statement issued Tuesday.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Under Fire Over Presidential Pardon For Drug Offenders

Presidency officials familiar with the developments had told our correspondent that the President, during a private meeting with close aides on Monday evening, expressed his intention to name nominees to occupy two vacant portfolios in his cabinet, including that of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned weeks ago.

Born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Onanuga said Doro brings more than two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership, and community development in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

“He has degrees in Pharmacy and law, an MBA focusing on IT-driven business strategy, and a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Grants Presidential Pardon To Herbert Macaulay, 174 Others

“He is an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with NHS frontline experience across urgent care, walk-in centres, GP practices, and hospital settings,” the statement read.

Beyond his medical and administrative expertise, Doro has been active in youth mentorship and social impact initiatives in both the Nigerian diaspora and local communities.

If confirmed, he will join President Tinubu’s cabinet and be sworn in at a Federal Executive Council meeting.

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed a bill prescribing life imprisonment for anyone — male or female — found guilty of sexually defiling minors in a move to stem the rising tide of child sexual abuse across the country.

The passage of the bill comes amid mounting national outrage over increasing cases of pedophilia and child molestation, which have left many victims physically and psychologically scarred.

Reports from rights groups and law enforcement agencies in recent years show that Nigeria has witnessed an alarming surge in cases involving children as young as five being sexually assaulted by adults, including family members, teachers, and clerics.

Presenting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo North) stressed that the offence of defiling a minor should be treated differently from that of raping an adult.

“A minor is a child who cannot give consent and whose life can be permanently damaged by such an act. Those involved in defilement deserve severe punishment.

READ ALSO:Natasha Resumes At Senate, Calls Akpabio Dictator

“I propose 20 years penalty for anyone found guilty. There are disturbing cases involving children as young as five or ten,” Oshiomhole said.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, also supported the motion, insisting that offenders should face punishment without the option of a fine.

Although Oshiomhole’s initial 20-year jail term proposal gained traction, it was later rejected after Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) argued that the punishment should be stiffer to serve as a deterrent.

“I want to propose that the punishment for defilement of minors should be life imprisonment, regardless of the offender’s gender,” Aliero said.

READ ALSO:Senate Gives FG Ultimatum To Submit Budget Performance Report

His position was immediately backed by Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), who maintained that the gravity of the crime warranted the maximum penalty.

When Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, the “ayes” were overwhelmingly in the majority.

Akpabio declared, “I hereby move that henceforth any man or woman who is guilty of defiling a minor should be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

The bill’s passage is expected to serve as a deterrent amid growing public concern that many child rape cases go unpunished due to weak enforcement and social stigma.

READ ALSO:Natasha’s Lawyer Warns Senate Against Defying Court Order

Over the past decade, several high-profile cases of minors being raped — some by trusted relatives and religious figures — have drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for harsher penalties.

In 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons reported a spike in cases of child defilement, with many offenders walking free due to loopholes in existing laws.

If signed into law, the new legislation would replace earlier provisions under Nigeria’s Criminal Code and Penal Code, which prescribed lighter sentences for offenders.

A representative of Igbo community in Edo State, Chief Samson Awiaka, has said the title of Eze Ndigbo does not exist in Edo State.

Awiaka position followed comments by some agitators.

He made this known when he led members of Igbo community in Edo State to pay homage to Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, during the 9th coronation anniversary celebration of the first class traditional ruler on Monday in his palace, Benin City.

Awiaka extolled the sterling qualities of the Oba Ewuare II, saying, “your Royal Majesty, we are here (Palace) to congratulate you on this ceremony. You are our grand Patron. In Benin, there is nothing like Eze Ndigbo.

READ ALSO:Edo: Real Estate Firm Unveils Renowned Media Personality, Okosun, As Brand Ambassador

“We will continue to be with you. You have been so good to us. You and the whole Edo people have been so good to us”, he said.

In a similar development, members of Yoruba, Arewa and Hausa Communities in the state also paid tributes to the great Benin throne in grand style and reaffirmed their loyalty to the Benin throne for peaceful reign and impactful leadership in upholding Edo heritage.

Chief Imam of Central Mosque in Benin City, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele who spoke on behalf of Arewa and Hausa Communities in the State, said, “you do not argue that with the King. You do not battle with the Oba of Benin”.

“Edo has witnessed a tremendous peace and progress since your reign as Oba of Benin”, according to Alhaji Enabulele.