Cabinet Reshuffle: Muhammed Abubakar hands over to Sharon Ikeazor

The outgoing Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar, has officially handed over the affairs of the Ministry to the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Dr. Abubakar, affirmed that in the last two years, the Ministry has achieved tremendous successes in areas of OGONILAND cleanup, climate change issues, and concerns, together with the formulation of policies and environmental service matters, which has positively redefined the country’s environment sector.

The outgoing Environment Minister expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for her support, cooperation and resilience, which resulted in the numerous achievements recorded in the ministry, during the two years they worked together.

Dr. Abubakar noted that Environment and Agriculture have a lot in common, and assured that the two ministries will continue to work together to boost the fortunes of the Environment Sector.

“We have achieved so much in the last two years in terms of programs, projects and especially policies that have now changed the narration of the sector much more positively.” Dr. Abubakar stated

“We have brought people together to understand the importance of the environment. I can say that the last two years has been very much worthwhile.”

“I have enjoyed working here greatly with everyone. I wish I can continue working here with you, but duty calls,” Dr. Mahmood Abubakar said.

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Receiving the handover document, Chief Ikeazor, gave the assurance that the affairs of the ministry will be highly protected and developed under her watch and appealed for maximum support from the staff of the ministry.

“We all serve the same government, and we all serve at the pleasure of Mr. President. Just as the outgoing Minister has said duty calls him to another ministry, and duty calls me to stay here, and take charge of the affairs of the ministry of environment until the President, at his pleasure, calls me elsewhere.

“So I thank you for our good working relationship which will definitely continue. And to the Directors as well, I ask that the same support that was given to my brother continues. Because this is not a break, but a continuation of what has already started and it should continue that way for us to deliver on our mandate,” she added.

Recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, penultimate Wednesday, dropped the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono. He redeployed the (then) Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar, to assume office as the new substantive Agriculture and Rural Development Minister.

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