Buhari Administers Portfolio To New Mnisters, Reshuffles Cabinet
Deji Adebayo, Abuja
The President, Muhammadu Buhari has Inaugurated the seven newly appointed Ministers recently confirmed by the Senate and administered portfolios to them
The swearing in ceremony was heard inside the Executive Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa moments before the week’s virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting kicked off. While speaking, the President congratulated the new Ministers and urged them to give their best in the discharge of their duties.
Buhari urged the new Ministers to consider their emergence as a call to duty, which demands diligent service to the nation.
The President also reminded them of his administration’s main objectives in improving the economy, fighting corruption and infrastructural development.
He advised them to take wise counsels and work closely with permanent secretaries in their various ministries.
Those sworn in today are Umana Okon Umana (Akwa-Ibom) as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. He takes over from his kinsman, Godswill Akpabio; Ikoh Henry Ikechukwu (Abia) the Minister of State for Science and Technology; Umar Ibrahim El-Yakubu (Kano) is Minister of State, Works and Housing.
Others are are Goodluck Nanah Opiah (Imo) as Minister of State for Education; Ekumankama Joseph Nkamah (Ebonyi) as Minister of State for Health; Odum Udi (Rivers) Minister of State for Environment and Ademola Adewole Adegoroye (Ondo), Minister of State for Transportation.
The President also announced a cabinet reshuffling, which involved the redeployment of some old Ministers to new offices.
Among those affected by the reshuffling are Senator Olorunimbe Mamowara former Minister of State for Health, now Minister of Science and Technology; Sharon Ikeazor, who was Minister of State for Environment, now Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs.
Others are Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, who was Minister of State for Works and Housing, now Minister of Transportation; while former Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, is now Minister of State for Mines and Steel.
Before the commencement of the week’s Council meeting, a minute silence was observed in honour of Mohammed Barkindo, the outgoing Secretary-General of OPEC, who died on Tuesday night, hours after he met with President Buhari.
Those who were physically present at the meeting today are the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha,; and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
Also physically attending the meeting are Minister’s of Mines and Steel development, Olamilekan Adegbite; communication and digital economy, Isa Pantami; Minister of Justice and attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State for Petroluem Resources, Timipre Sylva.
The Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Folashade Yemi Esan and other Ministers are attending virtually from their various offices in Abuja.