President Muhammadu Buhari, has assigned portfolios to the 36 new ministers with former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and former Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi emerging as the administration’s point men in the drive to improve the country’s infrastructure and transportation system.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, National Chairman All Progressives Congress, Chief Odigie Oyegun, and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State were among dignitaries who watched during the swear-in ceremony of the newly composed Federal Executive Council at the Aso Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Fashola emerged Minister of Power, Works and Housing with the distinction of having two permanent secretaries working under him.
Amaechi on his part, will take charge of the nation’s transportation system.
President Buhari, who presided at the swearing in ceremony of the new ministers, assigned to himself the Petroleum portfolio, while assigning the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as Minister of State, Petroleum.
According to him, “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 up 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 realizing 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.
“We intend to pursue policies that will generate massive employment for millions of our youth.
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.
Speaking briefly on what his government has so far done to tackle corruption and financial recklessness.”
