•••FEC Observes a minute silence in honour of Barkindo
President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in the seven ministers recently screened and confirmed by the Senate.
The President Muhammadu who also assigned portfolios to seven new ministers, charged them to serve the nation diligently, maintain unalloyed loyalty to the country and office of the President.
The President also redeployed some ministers from their ministries with the aim of “reinvigorating certain sectors where the government desires to accomplish improved results.”
The Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity) Femi Adesina, said in a statement on Wednesday that the swearing in ceremony was done before the virtual weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.
He listed the new appointed ministers and their assigned portfolios as: Ikechukwu Ikoh, Minister of State, Science and Technology; Umana Umana, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Udi Odum , Minister of State, Environment; Ademola Adegoroye, Minister of State, Transport; Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, Minister of State, Works and Housing; Goodluck Opiah, Minister of State, Education and Nkama Ekumankama, Minister of State, Health.
Adesina said that ministers who were redeployed include “Senator Adeleke Mamora, Minister of Science and Technology (formerly Minister of State, Health); Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Minister of Transportation (formerly Minister of State, Works and Housing); Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State, Niger Delta (formerly Minister of State, Environment) and Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development (formerly Minister of State, Transportation).
According to him, the President urged the seven new ministers to consult and collaborate with older ones and focus on driving key programmes already initiated by this administration.
The President was also said to have warned all members of the cabinet against corrupt practices, insisting that anyone caught in corrupt practices would be made to face the justice.
Then President urged the newly appointed ministers to note the the critical importance of time as they take over their ministries.
‘‘I begin this address by welcoming on board, all newly sworn-in members of the Federal Executive Council. I also congratulate you because the process that you all passed through to reach this stage has been rigorous and meticulous.
‘‘The appointment of these new Ministers is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which prescribes that the Federal Executive Council shall be made up of members from every state of the Federation.
‘‘I therefore urge you to consider your emergence out of millions of equally qualified Nigerians within the purview of selection from your State, as a call to duty which imposes the obligation to serve the nation diligently and presents to you the unique opportunity to work hard in service to the Government and the country.
‘‘At the valedictory session for six former Ministers that departed to pursue other political careers, I promised that their replacement shall be a matter of priority so that the business of governance would not experience delays or setbacks.
‘‘This administration has been in the saddle since 2015 and is now on the home-stretch of its second term, as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. All through, it has vigorously pursued the three main electoral objectives namely: Securing the nation; Diversifying & growing the economy as well as fighting corruption.
‘‘You are all coming on-board at this time with new energy, ideas, experiences and vigour, to join the existing team so that the implementation of policies, programs and projects associated with these electoral objectives would be escalated and accelerated.
‘‘There is still so much to be done for our country in the areas of infrastructure development, energy, access to finance, access to justice, technology and innovation, trade, agriculture, education and security. The list is inexhaustible,’’ he said.
‘‘As I assign you portfolios, therefore, I expect you to carefully study your sectors, take wise counsel, reach out to key stakeholders, consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programs already initiated by this administration. Above all, be loyal to your President and your country.’’
‘‘You must resist bad counsel, resist temptation and be circumspect in your utterances and conduct. You must totally eschew corruption and be above board because if caught there will be no sacred cows,’’ he said.
Adesina said that a meeting silence was observed on honour of the Secretary General of of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Barkindo, who died on Tuesday in Abuja before the commencement of the FEC meeting and swearing-in ceremony.
Those physically present at the Council meeting are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.
Other Ministers in attendance are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Education, Adamu Adamu, Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Mines, Steel, Olamilekan Adegbite, Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and Budget, National Planning, Clem Agba and State, Industry Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagun.
Head of the Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan.