President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn-in seven new Ministers, who now replace former ones that resigned their appointments in May to contest for various political offices.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Those sworn-in include Henry Ikechukwu (Abia State), Umana Okon (Akwa-Ibom State), Ekuma Joseph (Ebonyi State), Goodluck Obia (Imo State), Umar Yakub (Kano State), Ademola Adegorioye (Ondo State) and Odo Udi (Rivers State).
Read Also: Nigerian Senate Begins Screening Of Seven Ministerial Nominees
The new Ministers were recently screened and confirmed by the Senate, sequel to their nomination by President Buhari, in line with constitutional provisions.
Their nomination followed the vacuum created by the resignation of some former Ministers like Rotimi Amaechi, Uche Oga, Godswill Akpabio and Ogbonnaya Onu among others, who resigned to pursue various political ambitions.
Portfolios/Reshuffle
In what can be termed a minor cabinet reshuffle, the President immediately assigned portfolios to the new Ministers as follows:
Adeleke Mamora Minister of Science and Technology
Muazu Sambo Minister of Transportation
Umana Okon Minister of Niger Delta Affairs
Sharon Ikeazor Minister of State Niger Delta
Gbemisola Saraki Minister of State Mines and Steel Development
Umar El-Yakub Minister of State Works and Housing
Goodluck Opiah Minister of State Education
Joseph Nkama Minister of State Health
Henry Ikechukwu Minister of State Science and Technology
Odom Udi Minister of State Environment
Ademola Adegoroye Minister of State Transportation
Before the swearing in, a minute silence was observed in honour of Mohammed Barkindo, the 4th Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC Secretary-General, who died at the age of 63, Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the President is chairing the weekly virtual cabinet meeting at the same venue, with the new Ministers in attendance for the first time.
Others who are physically in attendance are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.
Other Ministers who are also in attendance include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Education, Adamu Adamu, Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Mines and Steel, Olamilekan Adegbite, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and Minister of State Budget, National Planning, Clem Agba and State, Industry Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagun.
The Head of the Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, and other ministers are attending the meeting from their offices in Abuja.
