President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged ministers inaugurated on Wednesday to build on the achievements recorded by his administration in the last four years.
“We have a challenge to build a country where everyone can maximise his or her potential. We must build a country where opportunities abound for everyone. Work has started; we must all get down to action,” Buhari said in a speech at the ceremony in Abuja.
He said that the two-day retreat with the ministers held on Monday and Tuesday had specified the roadmap and focus of government in the next four years, stressing that the priorities would form the base for building a strong Nigeria.
Buhari urged the ministers to strive to improve the economy, fight corruption and create a Nigeria that would engage its 20 million unemployed and unemployable people into productive ventures.
“We must make everyone productive. We must make everyone an asset to the country. Everyone must be fully engaged,” he said.
Buhari also emphasised the need for adequate security so that Nigerians could live in peace.
He said that key economic indicators would be used to assess the ministers performances, urging them to work hard to give Nigerians the good governance they deserved.
Buhari admitted that there had been challenges, but said that Nigerians must not fail to recognise the achievements record so far.
He directed the ministers to work closely with the permanent secretaries and heads of parastatals and agencies of their ministries, and emphasised the need for collective efforts towards success.
He also emphasised the need for closer and constant communication and coordination among the officials, adding that all communications requiring his attention must be routed through the Chief of Staff.
Buhari also warned them against allowing political differences, primordial interests and other considerations to affect the prime goal of providing quality service and good governance to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“You must strive to do what is right even if it is difficult,” he declared.The full list of ministers and their ministries:1. Dr. Ikechukwu Ogah (Abia State) -Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development2. Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa State) -Minister of the Federal Capital Territory3. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State)- Minister of Niger Delta4. Chris Ngige (Anambra State)- Minister of Labour and Employment5. Sharon Ikeazor (Anambra State) Minister of State, Environment6.Adamu Adamu (Bauchi State) Minister of Education7.Ambassador Maryam Katagun (Bauchi State) Trade and Investment. State8. Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa State) Minister of State, Petroleum, under the President9.George Akume (Benue State) Special Duties10.Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Borno State) Minister of State, Agric and Rural Development11. Goddy Jedy Agba (Cross River State) -Minister of State, Power12.Festus Keyamo (Delta State) -Minister of State, Niger Delta13. Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi State) -Minister of Science and Technology14. Osagie Ehanire (Edo State) -Minister of Health15.Clement Ike (Edo State)Budget, State16. Richard Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti State) -Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology17. Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu State) -Minister of Foreign Affairs18.Ali Isa Pantami (Gombe State) -Minister of Communications19. Emeka Nwajiuba (Imo State) -Minister of State, Education20. Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa State) -Minister of Water Resources21. Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna State) -Minister of Finance22.Muhammad Mahmood (Kaduna State) -Minister of Environment23.Sabo Nanono (Kano State) -Minister of Agriculture and Development24.Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Kano State) -Minister of Defence25.Hadi Sirika (Katsina State) -Minister of Aviation26.Abubakar Malami (Kebbi State) -Justice27.Ramatu Tijjani (Kogi State)FCT, State28. Lai Mohammed (Kwara State) Information29.Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara State) -Minister of State, Transportation30.Babatunde Fashola (Lagos State) -Minister of Works and Housing31.Adeleke Mamora (Lagos State) -Minister of State, Health32. Mohammed H. Abdullahi (Nasarawa State) Minister of State, Science33. Zubair Dada (Niger State) Foreign Affairs34. Olamilekan Adegbite (Ogun State), Minister of mines and steel development35. Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo State), Labour, State36. Rauf Aregbesola (Osun State), Minister of Interior37. Sunday Dare (Oyo State) Minister of Youths and Sports38.Paulen Talen (Plateau State) Minister of Women Affairs39. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State) Transportation40. Maigarai Dingyadi (Sokoto State) Police Affairs41. Sale Mamman (Taraba State) Minister of Power42. Abubakar D. Aliyu (Yobe State) Minister of State, Housing43. Sadiya Umar Faruk (Zamfara State), Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. (NAN)
