President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday sworn in eight ministers and announced their portfolios before commencement of the weekly Federal Excutive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Obanikoro (Lagos), who was a former Minister of State for Defence before resigning to contest the governorship election in Lagos State in October last year, was assigned as the Minister of State II in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Joel Ikenya (Taraba) was named as the Minister of Labour and productivity, Hauwa Lawan (Jigawa) given the portfolio of Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) was named as Minister of State for Trade and Investment.
Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa) is now the Minister of Information, Nicholas Ada (Benue) assigned as Minister of State I for Foreign Affairs, Augustine Akobundu (Abia) named Minister of State for Defence, while Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi) is the new Minister of State for Health.
Khaliru Al-Hassan, who has been supervising the Health Ministry since the former Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, resigned to contest the governorship election in Ebonyi State, was named as the substantive Minister of Health.
The President also sworn in Dr. Jonah Madugu as the commissioner representing Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa in the Federal Civil Service Commission and Mrs. Abimbola Hundehin as a commissioner in the National Population Commission.
President Jonathan noted that the ministers are coming in at a challenging time for the administration and should do everything to shine.
He said: “For the ministers this is an injury time, it is like bringing a player when you have just five minutes to go in a football match. So everyone wants to know what that player will do, the magic the player will perform within that short period. The player himself will be struggling to at least kick the ball before the end of the game.”
“So you are coming in at a quite challenging period and I believe that a number of people will not envy you because government is coming to a close. But sometimes it is even good to come at this time because you are now well exposed to Nigerians.”
“Your dancing steps will be watched by everybody and we believe you will dance well.”
He went on: “For the member of the Federal Civil Service Commission, civil service is key, it is the engine room of government.”
“The greatest problem that people complain about is the issues of discipline etc in the service. I believe that with you coming to join others you will continue to modernize the federal civil service.”
“Of course population is key for the National Population Commission, we are thinking of how to go for another head count. And every country wants to know the exact population for the purpose of planning and all that.”
“I believe it is a good team and listening to your citations, all of you are eminently qualified to hold any office in this country. And we believe that you will join us to serve our nation.”
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