However, this was not before her nomination was challenged on the grounds that she was not qualified for the position in accordance with the law establishing the organisation, which stipulated that each nominee from the several states on the board must originate from oil-producing communities.
Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa State and currently one of the governors who have retired to the Senate, had brought up the matter of Onochie, a resident of Delta State, not satisfying this qualification.
In the end, however, the situation was handled behind closed doors by the Senators, who proceeded to confirm her for the job together with the other nominees from the other states to form the long-awaited board for which many stakeholders had clamoured.
Dimga Erugba (Abia), Emem Wills (Akwa Ibom), Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa), and Oruk Duke were also recommended for the reformed board by President Muhammadu Buhari, who transmitted their names to the Senate two weeks ago (Cross River).
Others included Gbenga Edema (Ondo), Elekwachi Dinkpa (Rivers), Mohammed Abubakar (Nasarawa), Sule-Iko Sani (Kebbi), Tahir Mamman (Adamawa), Samuel Ogbuku (Bayelsa) for a two-year term as managing director, Charles Airhiavbere (Edo) as director of finance, and Charles Ogunmola (Ond
Pius Odudu and Anthony Okanne, from the states of Edo and Imo, respectively, were removed off the list for failing to appear for the screening, according to Amos Bulus, Chairman of the Niger Delta, who delivered the screening report to his colleagues on Tuesday.
"During our screening process, two of the nominees were absent, and the senior special assistant to the President of the National Assembly (Senate) did not provide an explanation for their absence. Due to their absence, screening procedures were reduced. The nominees have the necessary skills and character to lead the committee. He stated, "The committee noted that they are qualified."
Dickson, who is now a senator representing Bayelsa West, protested after the report was presented and reminded his colleagues of the statute requiring nominees to come from oil-producing communities, arguing that the provision had not been followed.
Dickson had questioned Onochie during the screening if she was from an oil-producing village, but she was instructed to respond in a closed session.
"I would want to note that now is an appropriate time to applaud the president." As required by law, we finally have enough nominations to properly populate the NDDC board. "We should include a condition requiring the president to ensure that their nominations come from oil-producing regions in accordance with the legislation," he said.
In any case, the nominees were ratified when Senate President Ahmad Lawan put the proposal to a vote, suggesting that the board was now prepared to accept full responsibilities for the agency, which aims to improve the country's oil-producing regions, which are regarded as the golden goose.
