President Goodluck
Jonathan on Wednesday swore in the new set of ministers cleared by the Senate.
Embattled former
Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, (Lagos) was sworn in as the
Minister of State Foreign Affairs II, while Nicholas Ada (Benue) is now the
Minister of State Foreign Affairs I.
Mr. Obanikoro had
resigned his appointment to run for the Lagos governorship ticket under the
platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but lost to Jimi Agbaje.
Mr. Obanikoro’s
nomination and final clearance by the Senate had been embroiled in controversy
as he was fingered in the Ekiti State rigging scandal evidenced by an audio
recording.
Nigerians including
the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress, opposed his nomination
but the Senate President David Mark, said Mr. Obanikoro’s clearance was
constitutional and in line with the Senate’s tradition.
The President also
made minor cabinet reshuffle as he named Alhassan Khaliru the Minister of
Health while Fidelis Nwankwo, is now the new Minister of State for Health.
Other ministers
sworn in the presence of Council members, friends and family members include:
Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa) as Minister of Information; and Augustine Akobundu
(Abia State) as Minister of State, Defence.
Others are Hauwa’u
Bappa, as Minister of State Niger Delta Affairs; Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) as
Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment; Joel Ikenya (Taraba),
Minister of Labour.
President Jonathan
also swore in two Federal Civil Service Commissioners – Jonah Madugo, who will
represent Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states and National Population
Commission, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyi.
The president
congratulated the new appointees and expressed hope that they will join to
serve the nation.
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