Finally: Stella Oduah to appear before Senate committee Dec. 5

Oduah

After several weeks of hide and seek, the Senate Committee on Aviation on Wednesday formally invited the embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, to appear before it on Thursday, December 5, by noon. A letter of invitation signed by the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Victor Aborisade, explained that Oduah and the chief executive officers of agencies under her ministry would brief members at the Senate New wing.

The Chairman, Aviation Committee in the Senate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, could not be reached for comments but a member of the committee, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the minister would appear next week Thursday.

The source said, “The matter has not been swept under the carpet. The minister will definitely be here next week Thursday. She has been duly invited alongside heads of agencies under her supervision.”

The Senate had two weeks ago, rescinded its resolution to summon Oduah, to brief its members on the state of the aviation sector.

The senators consequently resolved that Oduah and the chief executive officers of agencies under her ministry should now appear before the committee on aviation over the issue.

The Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma – Egba,  who moved the motion, said the action was based on the Senate standing order 53 (6) which empowered it to reverse its decision.

He also added that the decision to invite Oduah was taken at the executive committee meeting of the Senate last week.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon, who seconded the motion, confirmed that “indeed, at the executive session last week, the senators were unanimous in the decision that the resolution should be rescinded and that the minister should rather face the aviation committee.”