Jonathan swears in Obanikoro, seven other ministers
inaugurated the eight new ministers recently
confirmed by the Senate before the
commencement of the weekly Federal Executive
Council meeting.
The President thereafter assigned portfolios to them
as follows: Senator Patricia Akwashiki (Information);
Prof. Nicholas Ada (State, Foreign Affairs I); Senator
Musiliu Obanikoro (State, Foreign Affairs II); Col.
Augustine Akobundu (retd.) (State, Defence); Mr.
Fidelis Nwankwo (State, Health); Mrs. Hauwa Bappa
(State, Niger Delta Affairs); Mr. Kenneth Kobani
(State, Industry, Trade and Investment); and
Senator Joel Ikenya (Labour and Productivity).
The President also named the Minister of State,
Health, Khaliru Alhassan, as the Minister of Health.
Alhassan has been acting as Supervising Minister of
Health since Prof. Onyebuchi Ckukwu resigned in
2014.
Also inaugurated on Wednesday were a
commissioner for the Federal Civil Service
Commission, representing Plateau, Benue and
Nassarawa States, Dr. Jonah Madugu; and a
commissioner for National Population Commission,
Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyi, from Lagos State.
Jonathan urged the new ministers to be ready to
work hard to justify their appointment which is
coming during his administration's "injury time."
He said since the eyes of all Nigerians would be on
them, they must be ready to put up outstanding
performances within the short time available.
Jonathan said, "For the ministers, this is an injury
time. It is like bringing a player in when you have just
five minutes to go in a football match.
"So everyone wants to know what that player will do,
the magic the player will perform within that short
period. The player himself will be struggling to at
least kick the ball before the end of the game.
"So you are coming in at a quite challenging period
and I believe that a number of people will not envy
you because government is coming to a close. But
sometimes, it is even good to come at this time
because you are now well exposed to Nigerians.
"Everybody will be watching your dancing steps
and we believe you will dance well."
While describing the civil service as the engine room
of government, Jonathan admitted that the greatest
problem of the sector is indiscipline.
He urged the new commissioners to join others to
modernise the service.
He also described census as critical to national
planning, urging Salu-Hudeyin to contribute her
quota to the success of the NPC.
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