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Tag: minister’s

Ministers to explain policies before House of Reps

The House of Representatives has invited ministers to appear before its plenary sessions to defend the activities, it was learnt yesterday.

They will be expected to present their agenda for the diversification of the economy.

Minister for Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed will lead the first set of ministers to appear when he takes the first shot tomorrow before plenary.

Mr. Turaki Hassan, spokesman of House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said yesterday that the move forms part of the sectoral debate on the diversification of the economy aimed at crafting of new laws or amendment to existing ones or generate recommendations on how to address specific problems.

Other minister expected to appear this week are Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture) Mr. Kemi Adeosun (Finance) and Kayode Fayemi (Solid Minerals).

Hassan said: “The Speaker has approved the holding of the Sectoral Debates consistent with the Legislative Agenda of the House, Paragraph 7(ii)

“The 8th House will introduce sectoral debates on various aspects of Nigerian economy as part of its legislative initiative to address national problems.

“These sectoral debates will lead to the crafting of new laws or amendment to existing ones or generate recommendations on how to address the specific problem in question.

“The House will designate specific legislative sitting days or weeks in its calendar specifically for discussion on various problems facing the nation. Such identified themes, sectors, areas or problems include employment and job creation, Health, Education and Social Services; Women, Youths and Children concerns; Power/Energy Sector, Oil and Gas, Science and Technology; Commerce and Industry; Transportation; Telecommunications; Agriculture; Mining; Manufacturing; Diversification of the Economy, Finance, Corruption, Security Matters, Infrastructure and other initiatives of urgent national importance.

Modalities for carrying out the sectoral debates will be as approved by the House.”

“It was also provided by Order XVI, Rule 3 (New Rule).

“The House may engage in sectoral debates on issues of national importance as may be directed by the House or the Speaker.”

“The Honourable Speaker has approved the scheduling of the first set of debates from 3rd May to 5th May, 2016 on ‘Diversification of the Economy: Real Sector Development’.

“The Honourable Ministers of different Ministries concerned with this topic are to be scheduled to present their different perspectives, on the diversification of the economy”.

May 2, 2016
Photo: What are the ministers talking about ?

VP PROF OSINBAJO CHAIRS FEC ON BUDGET 3. R-L; Minister of Defence Brig general DAN-Ali, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Minister of Communications, Chief Adebayo Shittu during an emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting looking into the submitted 2016 budget at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. APR 8 2016.

April 8, 2016
Ministers begin scrutiny of 2016 Budget

In order to look critically at the 2016 Appropriation bill recently passed by the National Assembly, Ministers and Permanent Secretaries on Friday began ministry by ministry scrutiny of the budget.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week insisted that the 2016 budget details will be scrutinized before he assents to it.

The Presidency got the details of the budget on Thursday.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo chaired the meeting scrutinizing the details of the budget at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

Speaking with State House correspondents during short break of the meeting, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said: “We have received the details of the 2016 budget from the National Assembly and an extra-ordinary Federal Executive Council meeting was called this morning to avail every minister to look at the details of the budget and see how it affects each of the ministries.

“And also at this point, it is still work in progress we have broken up to resume later in the afternoon.

“We will come out with a statement later,” he added.

April 8, 2016
Reception for lawmakers, ministers

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and ex-Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku are expected in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Friday at a reception for National Assembly leaders and Federal Executive Council members from the Southeast/ Southsouth.

The reception is organised by the Southeast/Southsouth Professionals of Nigeria (SESS-PN).

Governor Rochas Okorocha will host the event.

A statement by the President of the group, Mr Emeka Ugwu-oju, said: “The reception is consistent with the group’s advocacy for good governance …”

“As our frontliners, this is more of an interaction with persons, who earned the confidences of our President, and members of the National Assembly …

“So having been selected, screened, appointed and now settled, we say well-done and possibly hear them tell us how far…”

Celebrated agriculturist Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo of Songhai Farms in Republic of Benin will be guest speaker. The leadership of the National Assembly and the governors of 11 states are expected to attend.

February 22, 2016
As ministers settle for business
SIR: Nigerians are currently waiting to see how the new ministers will contribute their quota to the much desired change in the polity. The new appointees, like their predecessors, are also Nigerians and it is the same blood that flows in their veins. They can make or mar the government and by extension bring the dividends of democracy or sufferings and hardship of bad governance.

My candid advice to them is to use this one in a million opportunity to write their names in gold by contributing immensely to the transformation of the country to becoming a better place to live in and thereby, justify the long wait preceding their appointments.

Much as the ministers represent their states in the federal executive council, they are ministers of the republic and not for states. So, it should be ‘Nigeria first’.

Nigerians expect them to be prudent in the selection of their aides because they will also play key roles in their success or otherwise. Thus, if they want to make positive impact, they need people with patriotic zeal, commitment and, will-power to succeed

They need to constantly consult and seek professional counsels from experts in fields related/relevant to their respective ministries. I urge them to make use of valuable/cogent points from constructive criticisms, contributions, articles/publications, public complaints and other related forums in proffering lasting solutions to inherent challenges under their purview.

This is not a ‘chop and clean mouth government’. It is a government where you go to equity with clean hands. Hence, if you cannot do without accumulating wealth illegally, it is better you throw in the towel, before you are thrown into jail. They must accept the fact that whistle-blowing has come to stay and all eyes are on them.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari is known for his commitment to the wellbeing of the people and the progress of the nation, we enjoin the ministers to work frankly and openly with him. They should call a spade a spade and let him see reasons why things should be done differently to achieve the desired results for the benefits of all and sundry.

They should avoid being sycophants in order to curry his favours. The people are looking up to the President to spearhead the ‘Change Agenda’. The sufferings in the immediate past were so intense that Nigerians cannot afford to keep sleeping or incompetent minister(s) or any other appointee(s) in this era.
- Raymond Oise-Oghaede,
Surulere, Lagos.
December 11, 2015
When two ministers went missing

As former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure muddled toward its desultory end, two of his senior ministers, with responsibility for some of the most critical issues of state, went missing from their strategic turfs.

I called attention to one of them, the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali, in my September 23, 2014, column titled “Where is our Foreign Minister?”

“Has anyone in the attentive audience ever seen, heard, sensed or otherwise encountered Ambassador Aminu Wali acting out his remit since he was appointed Foreign Minister in March 2014?’’ I asked.

I had raised this question in the wake of the Chibok abductions, when the accident-prone Jonathan administration stumbled from miscue to egregious miscue in a perfect calendar of blunders. Day after day, Nigeria took a pummelling in the global news media. And the foreign minister, who should have been the international face of Nigeria at such a time, was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, he was trying desperately to sell Dr Jonathan to political kingmakers in the so-called Northwest geopolitical zone as the best thing to have happened to Nigeria since the amalgamation, and an unquestionably worthy candidate for re-election.

Hear him as he read the communiqué at the end of the meeting: “Having carefully considered the steady and stable progress of our nation under the able leadership of the President, the stakeholders of PDP in the Northwest, having in mind the monumental strides attained by this administration, have resolved to urge President Jonathan to declare for president in the forthcoming 2015 elections so as to continue the good works he started in nation building.”

They say an ambassador is a person sent to lie for his country abroad. Ambassador Wali was going round the country lying for the president and his administration.

To be fair to Wali, he was not the only minister plying that trade. The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, did exactly that each time he opened his mouth. So did the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, but with emphasis on his personal achievement.

It came as no surprise, then, that Wali’s expertise was not tapped during what must rank as one of Jonathan administration’s most humiliating foreign misadventures, namely, the dramatic seizure in hard currency of the equivalent of N9.3 million from a Nigerian-owned private jet that made a covert landing at a private airport near Johannesburg, in South Africa, with the Jonathan administration’s fingerprints all over it.

The administration said the money was for the purchase of arms from private vendors for the security services and that the shipment was properly documented. The South African authorities, on the other hand, were acting on the theory that this was a money-laundering caper gone awry and were not in the least impressed by the disingenuous fudging that marked Abuja’s attempt to explain the incident away.

The last is yet to be heard of that incident

The second cabinet official who went missing from his strategic turf at critical points in the last phase of Dr Jonathan’s presidency was Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau, the Minister of Defence and, before that, National Security Adviser in the Obasanjo administration.

Aliyu Gusau had been appointed to replace Dr Bello Haliru, to demonstrate the government’s resolve to regain vast swathes of territory Boko Haram had seized in the Northeast, and to crush the insurgency.

Shortly after resuming office, he summoned the service chiefs to his office for a meeting, at which the war effort was likely to figure prominently. The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh, countermanded the summons, stating that the invitation had to be routed through his office.

Whereupon, as was widely reported in the media, Aliyu Gusau resigned. Later reports said the minister had insisted on meeting with service chiefs alone, and had demanded an apology from Badeh, who was probably still in high school — or in the military academy – when Aliyu Gusau was promoted to the rank of army general.

Despite President Jonathan’s intervention, the twain stood their grounds, and Aliyu Gusau made it known that, contrary to media reports, he had not resigned.

For all practical purposes, however, he might as well have resigned.

Boko Haram escalated its campaign of murder and mayhem and battled the ill-equipped and ill-used Nigerian military to a stalemate, often dictating the terms of engagement. In one instance, an entire army battalion, faced with Boko Haram’s superior firepower and motivation, “tactically manoeuvred” its way to neighbouring Cameroun, where it was disarmed and escorted back to base.

Through it all, the minister of Defence was missing. He was not seen at the war front rallying the troops and boosting their morale. Usually self-effacing, and a man of few words as befits the super spook – beg your pardon – the consummate intelligence officer that he is, this time he stood aloof, distant, as if the war was none of his business.

Nor did he join in the controversy surrounding the seizure by South Africa of a cash-laden private jet from Nigeria that had landed surreptitiously in a private airport near Johannesburg, allegedly on a mission to buy arms from private dealers for the Nigerian “security services.”

Was Badeh’s refusal to submit to the authority of the minister of Defence the reason General Aliyu Gusau chose to keep his own counsel in matters relating to the military, including the Boko Haram insurgency that was steadily incorporating more and more Nigerian territory under its infernal control?

Was that how it also came about that the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who, it has been said, was not a career intelligence officer but had on his own taken a crash course in military intelligence after his retirement — was that how he came to supplant the minister of Defence and to assume responsibility for procuring arms and ammunition and other materials for the military directly or through contractors?

The figures cited in those transactions, in which Dasuki seems to be a central figure, boggle the mind. So do the puny returns resulting therefrom, according to officials looking into the matter. President Jonathan, Dasuki has said, approved all the transactions at issue.

Aliyu Gusau’s name has not figured thus far in the investigations. He must be glad that he kept his distance from all the wheeling and dealing that the EFCC says it has uncovered in the office of the National Security Adviser.

Should he merely have kept his distance under the circumstances? Should he not have resigned to protect his honour?

For the record will show that, under his watch as Defence minister, the armed forces could not tame Boko Haram, and allegations of shady transactions in military purchases surfaced.

December 1, 2015
Buhari shocks ministers with austere package

•Cabinet members grumble, say ‘pittance’ can’t pick bills

Barely three weeks in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has shocked Ministers with poor salaries and austere allowances.

He has also imposed dos and don’ts on the ministers including travel restrictions.

Most Ministers were said to be embarrassed by the perks of office accruable to them in office.

The only leverage the Ministers will enjoy is the privilege of flying in a Business Class on trips.

These conditions of service for Ministers were contained in a letter given to them during the week by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal.

The letter said: “I am pleased to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has appointed you as a Minister in the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

“The appointment takes effect from 11th November, 2015 under the following Terms and Conditions of Service as contained in “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders(Salaries and Allowances, etc) (Amendment ) Act 2008.”

“I am to add that your tenure terminates at the end of this Administration unless otherwise decided by Mr. President. Please accept my heartiest congratulations and best wishes on your appointment.”

The SGF’s letter gave the details of the perks which the ministers will enjoy in office as long as they last in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

While the substantive minister will earn N2, 026, 400 Annual Basic Salary($8,514.285), Minister of State is to get N1.8million($7,563.025) per annum.

Other highlights of the conditions include: Estacode Allowance($900 per diem); Duty Tour Allowance(N35,000); Utilities Allowance(Telephone/ Electricity/ Water)–30% of Annual Basic Salary (N607,920); Domestic Staff Allowance(75% -((N1,519,800) of Annual Basic Salary; Medical Facilities (in accordance with NHIS Policy); Special Assistant (To be provided in kind); Security (To be provided in kind); Air Travel (By Business Class); Newspaper Allowance (15% of Annual Basic Salary-N303,960).

The letter said: “As a Political Office Holder, you must obtain permission from Mr. President before you travel out of Abuja. If the trip is official, Ministers are entitled to a Duty Tour Allowance of N35,000 per diem. However, all private journeys will attract no Allowance.

“Severance Allowance of 300 %of Annual Basic Salary payable after full tenure of office with government. The allowance will be pro-rated after a minimum of two years tenure.

It added: “200 % of Annual Basic Salary (N4,052,800) will be paid to you to enable you to acquire accommodation of your choice in line with monetization policy.

“Furniture Allowance. 300 %(N6,079,200) of Annual Basic Salary will be paid once in every four years. The allowance will be paid annually at the rate of 75% (N1,519,800) of Annual Basic salary.

“Motor Vehicle Fuelling Maintenance Allowance. 75% of Annual Basic Salary (N1,519,800) for the maintenance of your vehicle(s) as Government no longer provides chauffeur driven vehicles to Political Office Holders/Public Officers for house to office running.

“Annual Leave (30 calendar days for each leave year or calculated on pro-rata basis, with 10% of Annual Basic Salary(N202,640) as leave grant); Personal Assistant Allowance (25% of Annual Basic salary to enable you to employ a Personal Assistant of your choice).”

Investigation however revealed that some of the ministers were uncomfortable with the salary and allowance package because it might not be able to pick their bills.

The package has caused rumbles in the cabinet because while Nigerian ministers earn $8, 514.28 Per Annum (N2,026,400), their counterparts in Ghana are on $50,000 (N11,900,000) and those in South Africa (the highest paying in the continent) were said to be taking home about $302,521 per annum.

A reliable source said: “Most ministers have been sad since they received their letters of appointment because the salary and allowance package was a far cry from where they were coming from. We hope that ministers will eventually not steal if they have to serve this nation on hungry stomach.

“We have ministers in this government who left high-net worth job of $10,000 to $20,000 per month, how will they settle their bills? Some ministers have headed corporate. You can imagine a minister managing about $3billion portfolio now getting $8,521 per Annum.

“Some ministers have children in Ivy League universities where they are paying as much as $40,000 to $60,000 per annum. How will they be able to cope to meet up with their responsibilities?”

As at press time, it was unclear if the ministers had made representation to the president or not.

“Curiously, we have some Executive Secretaries, Directors-General and Group Managing Directors of parastatals like NNPC, PPMC, NCC, NDIC, PEF, PPPRA, DPR, NERC, NIGCOMSAT, and others who will be earning more than their ministers. I think the system is distorted somehow.”

Another source added: “To earn commensurate salaries and allowances, the president can explore foreign donors’ basket for payment of ministers. Or else, it will be difficult to get the best from this team.

“Alternatively, there might be scientific corruption in Buhari’s cabinet. This is the type of corruption we call ‘chop and clean mouth.’

November 28, 2015
Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu, governors, ministers see off HID

Amid overwhelming glamour on the ground and a bright sky above, the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu(HID), yesterday made her glorious and final exit.

The remains of the late Mrs. Awolowo, who passed on last September 19 at 99, were interred beside her husband Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo’s, inside the 28 years old Awo Mausoleum within the sprawling family compound in Ikenne, Ogun State. The Awo matriach would have been 100 yesterday.

Her surviving daughters – Mrs Omotola Oyediran and Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo – Dosunmu and a handful of relatives witnessed the interment.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, Head of the defunct Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and businessman Aliko Dangote, saw off the iconic woman and Yeye Oba.

President Buhari, who arrived the Awolowo compound at 2:18 pm, proceeded to the Efunyella Hall where he spent a few minutes with the children of the late Mrs Awolowo before heading to the mausoleum by 2:49pm to see the resting place of Mama and her husband, Pa Awolowo. He left two minutes later.

Security Operatives – soldiers, policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) – were in their hundreds but they seemed overwhelmed by the crowd of dignitaries surging to bid Mrs Awolowo a final bye.

Earlier in the morning, her remains encased in a gold- plated casket, arrived at Our Saviour’s Church (Anglican Communion) by 9:55 am in a horse – driven cart, accompanied by six horse riders, 18 music band squads from the NSCDC, Amosun, Mrs Oyediran, Dr. Awolowo-Dosunmu, grand-children and relatives.

The church and its surroundings came alive with the sight of eminent Nigerians who had joined Mama’s family and 34 bishops for the funeral service in Ikenne just like when the late sage and first Premier of Old Western Region passed on in 1987.

The body was received into the church auditorium where Tinubu, Obasanjo, Vice President Osinbajo, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha were already seated for the funeral service as the bell rang at 9:57am.

In his sermon, Arch-Bishop, Metropolitan and Primate of Anglican Church, Nigeria, the Right Rev. Nicholas Okoh, described Mama as a great wife who stood by her husband.

Rev. Okoh said Mama had fought the good fight of faith and finished victoriously, adding that the rest she deserved now is in Christ and quite different from the worldly and ephemeral.

Eulogising her further, the Anglican Primate lauded Mama for her courage in time of adversity, saying even when she lost three of her children, she still stood firm in the Lord.

He urged Nigerians to emulate the late Mrs Awolowo’s strong heart and firm belief in God.

Dr Saraki, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the church service, described the late Mrs Awolowo as a virtuous woman who stood steadfastly behind her husband and also remained relevant since the death of Pa Awo in 1987.

Saraki enjoined the children to sustain the good name and legacies of the Awolowos.

Tinubu, who arrived in Ikenne in the company of some governors from the North, at 9:46am, said they were in the town to celebrate the worthy life of Mama HID, whom he also described as a great mother and pillar of progressive politics.

Tinubu said: “We are here to celebrate her, a wonderful mother and an icon who stood for progressive politics. She was a mother to me.

“Mama HID and my mother (Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji) were great friends. They both struggled together for the independence of Nigeria and progressive politics in this country.

“We will continue to thread on the path of progressive politics played by Mama and her husband, the late sage, Baba Awolowo.”

Okorocha, who extolled the late Mrss Awolowo’s virtues, told reporters that the late matriach of the Awolowo family lived a good life worthy of emulation by Nigerian women.

Dignitaries at the funeral service are: Governor Segun Mimiko(Ondo), Senator Anthony Adefuye, members of the Ogun State Executive Council, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Senator Gbenga Kaka and former Governor Gbenga Daniel and his wife, Olufunke.

Others are former Governor of Lagos State Alh. Lateef Jakande, former Police Inspector General Tafa Balogun, Senaror Biyi Durojaiye, former Ekiti Governor Segun Oni, frontline banker Otunba Subomi Balogun, former Oyo Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Chief Olu Falae, Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his wife, Hon. Patrick Obaghiagbon, former Ekiti Governor Niyi Adebayo, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Mines and Solid Minerals Dr Kayode Fayemi and Works, Housing and Poer Minister Babatunde Fashola.

November 26, 2015
Ministers and challenge of change

The change campaign slogan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Muhammadu Buhari, its presidential candidate in the 2015 general election, resonated with a substantial majority of Nigerians culminating in the historical defeat of an incumbent for the first time in Nigerian history. Nigerians assumed, rightly to my mind, that they were voting not just for a change of personnel but, more importantly, for a change of direction.

The presupposition of the change mantra and its acceptance by the electorate was that the status quo was no longer tenable or acceptable. With youth unemployment up in the stratosphere and generalised poverty and its attendant miserable existence ravaging the nation while a few amass stupendous wealth, many Nigerians felt neglected and unappreciated by their government. Informed citizens voted for change and they succeeded; they got their favoured president.

Success soon led to a new reality. Normally a successful change means better realities for the nation and its downcast and demoralised citizens. The party of change is therefore expected to bring successful change. And because they had waited for so long to see a substantial and positive change in the conditions of their existence, the people cannot be expected to be patient. Their patience has worn thin and they cannot understand why their desired change wasn’t coming within a month of the inauguration of the new administration.

But the reality has been different. There have been real challenges in six months. An opposition party campaigning on the promise of change can be forgiven for not knowing what it was getting into, the extent of the damage done, and the substance of the needed repair. It was in the interest of the party in power to hide the depth of the trouble, especially in the economy. But who wants to hear excuses or complaints? All the electorate needed was change and the miracle man they elected must deliver.

In fairness to both the electorate and the new administration, each has a point. First, the economic reality that the new administration met on the ground was a mess. The slump in the oil market in our mono economy has made it impossible for the states to pay the salaries of their workers, a substantial number of who don’t really contribute productively to the economy but have been kept in the system for political reasons. States have to be bailed out by the Federal Government while the original challenge of states managing to live within their means remains unresolved.

At some point, however, and sooner than later if the country is not only to survive but to prosper, the important issue of managing the economy of states must have to be an issue for the government and party of change. Where a state receives close to 70 per cent of its resources from federal allocation and it spends close to 80 per cent of its resources on workers’ salary, it is clear that there can be no capital development in such a state. For how long can this continue?

Second, judging from the revelations from just a few cases that the EFCC has been battling, it is clear that corruption has eaten deep into the national flesh and it is about to crack the bones. This is an area where Nigerians have been unanimous in their rage against the system. They want the new administration to fight corruption. Indeed, they see the new president as Mr. Integrity and that was why they gave him their support. It appears that the president got that message loud and clear. Time, of course, will tell.

Third, there are cultural realities that are not the making of the new administration. Indeed, these have been with the nation since the dawn of its birth. There are cultural cleavages, including religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism and blatant sexism. These fissures in the anatomy of the nation could be extremely painful and tragic with different groups talking past each other and making national consensus on important matters difficult to resolve.

Thus while many saw presidential candidate Buhari as a Nigerian nationalist who can bring sanity to a broken system, others saw him as a sectional irredentist. And as he emerged as the elected president, that division still endures. In the circumstance, it will take the Wisdom of Solomon to bridge these divisions and move the nation forward in one accord. Mr. President has his work cut out for him.

Beside the pre-existing realities, however, the new administration and the coalition that brought it to power have had to deal with a new reality which is no less challenging. APC was marketed as the party of change. But since its assumption of responsibility for the running of the nation, it has struggled with its own inner demons, to the delight of its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It appears that the party of change has not been well prepared for the discipline that it takes to govern with a mission of change.

The indiscipline that has been exhibited at the National Assembly is unimaginable but understandable. APC is a coalition of forces that massed against the PDP. While the emergence of the party as a formidable opposition was hailed by many Nigerians as a redeeming grace, it now appears that some within the coalition only wanted a change of administration so they could have a shot at positions they had coveted for long. Surely, no one should be condemned for having an ambition; but it is unforgivable to allow ambition to scuttle the substantive change that the electorate had clamoured for.

The NASS dysfunction has gone on for too long already and it is time that the President used his bully pulpit to call the perpetrators out. For, while we have separation of powers, it is not a far-fetched supposition that if it is not arrested early, the charade going on with the National Assembly will consume the other arms of government including the executive, and scuttle the change agenda.

This of course naturally takes us to the newly appointed ministers as change agents. Believing the president that he has chosen his ministers solely on merit, they are the talented 36 out of 150million Nigerians. They must be proud of themselves. Even if they are the loyalists of Mr. President, and not necessarily the best, there is still good reason for self-jubilation and pride. The President was elected by a clear majority. That he has confidence in the 36 men and women is a big deal.

They are, in Mr. President’s testimonial, round pegs in round holes. I understand this to mean that each of the honourable ministers has the requisite knowledge, the skill-set, and the temperament for the specific task to which he or she has been assigned. Therefore, I expect that the real change that our people desired with their vote would not elude them after all. Each of our honourable ministers must therefore contribute as a team player to the commonwealth such that they put naysayers to shame.

Investing in human talents through the transformation of the educational system will produce educated citizens with consciousness for their health, and great potentials for wealth creation in a diversified economy, thus increasing national productivity, boosting infrastructural development including roads, rails and waterways, and ultimately benefitting the nation and its proud citizens. This is the tie that binds all the government ministries and departments. None is missing here. Therefore if all the ministers work together, the benefits are substantial for the nation. The world is watching. We wish them Godspeed.

November 13, 2015
Ministers are round pegs in round holes, says President

President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled his cabinet yesterday. He heads the Ministry of Petroleum Resources as minister. Thirty-six other ministers took the oath of office.

The portfolio of the others are Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)—Transportation, Chris Ngige (Anambra)—Labour and Employment, Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)—Solid Minerals, Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)—Power, Works and Housing and Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano)—Interior.

Others are: Aisha Alhassan (Taraba)—Women Affairs, Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi)—Science and Technology, Kemi Adeosun (Ogun)—Finance, Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)—Justice, Hadi Sirika (Katsina)—Minister of State for Aviation, Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa)—Water Resources, Solomon Dalong (Plateau)—Youths and Sports, Ibe Kachikwu (Delta)—State for Petroleum.

Also sworn in are Osagie Ehanire (Edo)—Minister of State for Health, Audu Ogbeh (Benue)—Agriculture, Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom)—Budget and National Planning, Lai Mohammed (Kwara)—Information, Amina Mohammed (Gombe)—Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril (Nasarawa)—State, Environment

Others are: Anthony Onwuka (Imo), State for Education, Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa)—FCT, Adamu Adamu (Bauchi)—Education, Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia)—Industry Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto) State for Trade, Industry and Investment, Khadija Bukar Abba (Yobe), State for Foreign Affairs

Other portfolios include Claudius Daramola (Ondo)—State, Niger Delta, Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu)—Foreign Affairs, Monsur Dan-Ali (Zamfara)—Defence, James Ocholi (Kogi), State for Labour, Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna), State for Budget, Mustapha Shehuri (Borno)—State for Power, Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)—State for Agric, Isaac Adewole Folorunsho (Osun)—Health, Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River)— Niger Delta, Abubakar Bwari Bawa (Niger)—State for Solid Minerals, Adebayo Shittu (Oyo)—Communications and Muhammadu Buhari—Petroleum.

The inauguration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) came over five months after President Buhari took office.

Buhari urged the cabinet members to bring the desired change to Nigerians.

He said: “The ministries have been rationalised and reduced to 24. Our new ministers must proceed to work speedily and do their utmost to justify the confidence we have placed in them, not only by their conduct but also by their performance in their various positions.”

Despite the various challenges facing the nation, including terrorism, kidnapping and failing oil prices, he maintained that his administration had made progress in the past five months.

Stressing that he was running an “inclusive” government, Buhari said the government’s business is now conducted transparently.

According to him, the Treasury Single Account (TSA)introduced by the government is now making more money available for government business.

Of the ministers, he said round pegs are now put in round holes.

Said the President: “Since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, the Vice President and I have been mindful of the need to constitute a cabinet that will best deliver our expectations of a better country than we inherited.

“We want to work towards a prosperous nation respected for the right reasons, and whose citizens can hold up their heads anywhere in the world. And we are optimistic that bringing this set of ministers into the service of our country today is a step in the right direction, a timely move towards realising our positive goals for our country.

“Since we assumed office in May, I have been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translates into putting round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as a people and our various positions as groups of stakeholders in our country.”

He went on: “I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios, which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment despite their obvious capabilities.

“Also, I have responded to the counsel to consult as widely as possible, given the need to build a stable and all-inclusive government by reaching across our various ethnic and political divides.

“With the inauguration of ministers, our government shall continue more decisively to implement its policies in respect of the economy and in other areas. While working hard to maximise revenue from oil in the face of a sharp decline in the price for the commodity, we are determined to diversify the economy in agriculture to enhance employment and explore solid minerals as a major revenue earner.

He said that the primary aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of such staples as rice and wheat and to become a major consumer and exporter of both items as well as solid minerals.

According to him, his administration intends to pursue policies that will generate massive employment for millions of Nigerian youths.

On security and corruption, Buhari said: “We shall also continue with greater determination and focus to pursue our goal of ensuring improved security for our country and its citizens, and without letting up on our fight against corruption.

“Our commitment to defeat Boko Haram and all the threats it constitutes remains as strong as ever. So is our resolve to root out vices such as kidnapping and neutralise the various forms of criminalities that threaten the social peace of Nigerians.

“While recognising the challenges we face and the need to surmount them, let us not fail to note the progress we have made in the short life of this government, as an indication of how much better we can do as a people driven by patriotism and a common resolve to do things right.

“On the moral sphere, trust is slowly but steadily being re-established between the government and the people. Now, when the government speaks, the people listen; and when the people’s expectations are not met, they appreciate that it is not for lack of commitment or trying on the part of government. In effect, government business is now being conducted with transparency and cynicism is waning as a result.”

On the TSA, Buhari said: “The Treasury Single Account has resulted in the blocking of financial leakages in the public sector, making more funds available for the business of governance and ensuring the welfare of our citizens.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria has also assisted more than 30 states of the federation with concessionary loans to offset salary arrears for their workers. On the monetary side, the CBN has also implemented country-specific and innovative policies that have helped to stabilise the exchange rate and conserve our reserves.

“Over all, our economy is poised for sustained job creation, poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Regardless of the present challenges we are confronting, I believe all Nigerians will keep hope alive and sustain their optimism about the future of our economic well being.”

At the ceremony were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mahmoud Mohammed.

Also at the ceremony were the National Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and APC National Leader Chief Bisi Akande.

The inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was held in the Council Chamber shortly after the ceremony.

November 12, 2015