Katsina ministerial nominee, Hannatu Musawa weeps during senate screening, says she comes from poor family

By our reporter

A ministerial nominee from Katsina State, Hannatu Musawa, could not control her emotions on Tuesday when she broke down in tears while appearing before the Senate for screening.

Musawa, a lawyer, was among the 28 Nigerians nominated by President Bola Tinubu as ministers last Thursday.

She is currently the presidential adviser on culture and entertainment economy.

She was the ninth nominee screened by the upper chamber on Tuesday.

Asked to introduce herself and summarise her resume by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Musawa began to speak about her family background and her upbringing but, at some point, betrayed her emotion and started shedding tears.

Musawa said she came from a poor family struggling to survive but that her father, Musa Musawa, a politician, ensured she got the desired Western education.

She said her father traded in Kolanut to sponsor her education before he died.

“I come from a family that struggles to make ends meet. My father sells ‘goro’ (Kolanut) to send me to school,” she said.

The nominee also told the senators that her biggest regret was that her father, who laboured for her, could not witness her nomination for the ministerial appointment despite all the hardships.

“My greatest regret is that my father is not here to witness her daughter’s screening for a ministerial position,” she said while cleaning her eyes with a handkerchief.

The Katsina nominee said she started her political career with the Buhari Foundation in 2022.

While she sobbed and spoke, some senators chanted loudly, “It’s okay. ”

At this point, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stopped her from continuing with her address.