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Serve diligently, eschew corruption, Buhari tells new ministers

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday charged the seven newly appointed ministers to serve the nation diligently, maintain unalloyed loyalty and office of the President, as he assigned portfolios to them.

The President further warned them against corrupt practices, reiterating that those caught in corrupt practices would face the full wrath of the law.

He urged the new ministerial appointees to consider their emergence as a call to duty that demands diligent service to the nation.

The President also announced the reassignment of portfolios in his cabinet, saying the new redeployment is aimed at reinvigorating certain sectors where the government desires to accomplish improved results.

Persecondnews reports that the new ministers replaced those who resigned their appointments to contest various elective offices ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, which preceded the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Buhari said as his administration is now on the home-stretch of its second term, more work still needs to be done in diverse areas of the economy and national life.

Those sworn in are: Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh (Abia), Minister of State, Science and Technology; Umana Okon Umana (Akwa-Ibom), Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Udi Odum (Rivers), Minister of State, Environment; Ademola Adegoroye (Ondo), Minister of State, Transport; Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub (Kano), Minister of State, Works and Housing; Goodluck Nana Opiah (Imo), Minister of State, Education; and Ekumankama Nkama (Ebonyi), Minister of State, Health.

The ministers who have been re-assigned include: Senator Adeleke Mamora (Minister of Science and Technology and formerly Minister of State, Health); Mu’azu Jaji Sambo (Minister of Transportation and formerly Minister of State, Works and Housing); Sharon Ikeazor (Minister of State, Niger Delta and formerly Minister of State, Environment) and Sen. Gbemisola Saraki (Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development and formerly Minister of State, Transportation).

Buhari urged the new members of his cabinet to consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programmes already initiated by this administration.

He said: ‘‘I begin this address by welcoming on board, all newly sworn-in members of the Federal Executive Council. I also congratulate you because the process that you all passed through to reach this stage has been rigorous and meticulous.

‘‘The appointment of these new Ministers is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which prescribes that the Federal Executive Council shall be made up of members from every state of the Federation.

‘‘I therefore urge you to consider your emergence out of millions of equally qualified Nigerians within the purview of selection from your State, as a call to duty which imposes the obligation to serve the nation diligently and presents to you the unique opportunity to work hard in service to the Government and the country.

‘‘At the valedictory session for six former Ministers that departed to pursue other political careers, I promised that their replacement shall be a matter of priority so that the business of governance would not experience delays or setbacks.

‘‘This administration has been in the saddle since 2015 and is now on the home-stretch of its second term, as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections.

“All through, it has vigorously pursued the three main electoral objectives namely: Securing the nation; Diversifying & growing the economy as well as fighting corruption.

‘‘You are all coming on-board at this time with new energy, ideas, experiences and vigour, to join the existing team so that the implementation of policies, programs and projects associated with these electoral objectives would be escalated and accelerated.

‘‘There is still so much to be done for our country in the areas of infrastructure development, energy, access to finance, access to justice, technology and innovation, trade, agriculture, education and security. The list is inexhaustible.”

He also urged them to be conscious that time is of the essence as they assume office.

‘‘As I assign you portfolios, therefore, I expect you to carefully study your sectors, take wise counsel, reach out to key stakeholders, consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programs already initiated by this administration. Above all, be loyal to your President and your country,” he added.

The President told the ministers to await further communication on their appropriate ministerial mandates from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Prior to the commencement of the FEC meeting and swearing-in ceremony, the Council observed a minute silence in honour of the Secretary-General of Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Mohammed Barkindo, who died on Tuesday in Abuja.

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