Jonathan Swears-In 8 New Ministers, 2 Federal Commissioners

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, National News Wednesday, March 18th, 2015

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen – A total of eight new Ministers including the controversial Lagos nominee, Musiliu Obanikoro, as well as other Federal Commissioners were Wednesday sworn in by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The brief ceremony which held ahead of the week’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, inaugurated as new Ministers: Col. Augustine Akobundu (retd.) (State, Defence); Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo (Minister of State for Health); Mrs. Hauwa Bappa (Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs); Mr. Kenneth Kobani (Minister of State, for Industry, Trade and Investment); Senator Joel Ikenya (Labour and Productivity).

Other newly sworn in Ministers were: Senator Patricia Akwashiki (Information); Professor Nicholas Ada and Obanikoro (Ministers of State for Foreign Affairs I & II) respectively. President Jonathan however upgraded former Minister of State for Health Khaliru Alhassan, as the substantive Minister in the same Ministry.

Similarly, President Jonathan sworn in Dr. Jonah Madugu (representing Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau States) and Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyi (Lagos State) as the Commissioners for the Federal Civil Service and the National Population Commission (NPC) respectively.

The President while addressing the new Ministers and Commissioners, stated that the time of the appointment was like an injury time, adding that they were like players coming into the field at the tail of a match; hence everyone would be watchful of their inputs.

It would be recalled Obanikoro’s screening and confirmation last Tuesday, drew controversies as well as divided the Senators, as the opposition APC legislators kicked against his nomination, owing to the alleged featuring in an audio tape plotting rigging of Saturday, June 21, 2014 Ekiti Governorship election and other pending court case against him.

His nomination was vehemently rejected by the three Senators from his State as well as the APC Senate Leader, Babafemi Ojodu (Ekiti). Despite the resistance, Senate President, David Mark over ruled their motion and called for Obanikoro’s confirmation.