Jonathan: More ministers coming next week

President Goodluck Jonathan has sworn in the 11new ministers cleared by the Senate. The President has also sacked the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi.

Reeling out the portfolios of the newly sworn-in ministers, the President said Aliyu Gusau, a retired general and former spy master, will serve as Minister of Defence; while Musiliu Obanikoro, a former senator, will serve as Minister of State for Defence.

Mohammed Wakil is to serve as Minister of State Power, while Abduljelili Adesiyan will serve as Minister of Police Affairs, and Aminu Wali will serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Akon Eyakenyi will serve as Minister of Land and Housing, while Lawrencia Mallam will serve as Minister of Environment. Asabe Ahmed will serve as Minister of State for Agriculture, Boni Haruna will serve as Minister of Youth Development, and Khaliru Alhassan will serve as Minister of State for Health.

The President announced Tamuno Danagogo as new Minister of Sports, to replace Mr. Abdulahi, whose sack was later announced by Reuben Abati, the presidential spokesperson.

Speaking further at the short ceremony which held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, before the commencement of the weekly meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation, Mr. Jonathan announced that more ministers are expected to come in next week. He charged the new ministers to be creative and ensure they succeed in the tasks ahead of them.

“Next week more ministers will come in. After that we would have clear cut discussion of how the FEC will run,” he said.

He noted that being Nigerians, the new appointees already know the problems the country is facing as the challenges are projected on a daily basis by the media. He told the ministers that they have to succeed in their appointments.

“Public office is public trust and you owe the people a public good.

“We must listen to the people. I want you to see yourselves as servants. If by the time you are leaving, you cannot say that you have brought some innovations with your creativity, then you have failed,” he said.

“Your duty is to ensure that you bring positive changes. You have to relate well with your colleagues. Because of the conflict between the ministers and ministers of state, we will make sure we review the schedules to curtail such conflicts,” the president said.

He also urged them to work together and be team players.

Mr. Jonathan urged the new ministers to bring their experience to bear as the designations do not really matter. He assured them that they are eminently qualified serve as Nigerian ministers.

Source: Premium Times