Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday forwarded two nominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners.

The nominees according to the governor's message which was read on the floor by the Speaker, Barrister Razak Atunwa are Alhaji Ademola Banu  and Alhaji Kamaldeen  Ajibade  from Irepodun and IIorin West Local Government Areas.

The Governor said his request for the confirmation of the two nominees was in line with provisions 4 (14) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Speaker directed the nominees to submit their credentials to the House by today and appear for screening on 16 December, 2013.

It would be recalled that the two nominees were among members of the state Executive Council dissolved in October, 2013.

Also at yesterday's plenary, the House  passed the state Childhood Protection Bill into law.

The bill seeks to provide compulsory free eye screening for children between one and five years of age.

The bill which was sent to the House by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in September 2013, was passed after the adopted of the report of the House Committee on Health and Environment.

Hon. Suleiman Sunaboro who represented the report on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mande Aliyu told the House that all stakeholders invited for public hearing on the bill called for the passage of the bill.

He said the passage of the bill has become imperative to provide free eye screening for children for early identification and referral of sight impairment against blindness.

Among the provisions of the bill was that no child should be admitted into public and private pre-primary or primary schools without certificate of eye screening exercise.

The provision of the bill added that any person or group of persons who discourage children from undergoing the free eye screening will be liable for one month imprisonment or pay fine not exceeding N25,000.

The bill provides for the establishment of at least two screening centres in each of the 16 local government areas of the state.

The bill suggests inauguration of a committee to be chaired by an Opthamologist with four year tenure to ensure the full implementation of the bill.

The Clerk of the House, Mr. Oyetunde Oyeniyi later read the bill for the third time on the directive of the Speaker, Barrister Razak Atunwa  and the House consequently passed into law.

The Speaker directed the Clerk to produce a clean copy of the bill for Governor's assent.